Moose Jaw losing its hyperbaric chamber

The Five Hills Health Region, based in Moose Jaw, is getting rid of its pressurized oxygen chamber.

Moose Jaw Union Hospital has the only hyperbaric chamber between Toronto and Edmonton but it won't be in the city's new hospital, which is scheduled to open in 2015.

The chamber has been used to help victims of burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and people whose wounds are taking a long time to heal.

Over 15 years, 223 patients have used the equipment, which was donated to the health system many years ago.

Bert Linklater, senior executive director of operations with the health region, says the decision not to put it in the new hospital was a difficult one to make.

"We have $100 million and we have so many square metres and we have so much money for equipment," he said. "We have lots of challenges still, to bring this facility in on budget and to acquire the necessary equipment."

The provincial government says it's trying to determine whether the chamber should be located in another hospital.

It will be discussing potential spots for the chamber with various health regions over the next few weeks.

Officials say the staff who currently operate the chamber will be redeployed to other duties in the health region.