Ruling limits private surgeries in Sask.

A labour arbitratorhas ruled thata deal the Regina health region made to contract out some surgeries to a private clinic cannot extend past the end of 2013.

Daniel Ishwas ruling on a challenge launched by the union representing health workersin the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region.

Thehealth authoritysigned an agreement this summer withthe Omni Surgery Centre to have between 300 and 500 knee and dental surgeries done at the private clinic between August, 2010, and March 31, 2011.

The region is also looking for a private clinic to perform CT scans.

In March 2010, the provincial government asked the health regions to find ways to reduce wait times for surgeries and diagnostic procedures within the public system by streamlining services, improving efficiencies and, if necessary, using private sector providers.

TheCanadian Union of Public Employees representing the Regina health workerssaid its members' collective agreement imposes strict limits on contracting out.

In a 20-page decision released Wednesday, Ish said the Regina health region can use private-sector providers but only to meet the goal of reducing the backlog.

The arbitrator found it is cheaper in the long run for the work to be done in the public health system.