REGINA QU'APPELLE HEALTH REGION INVESTS IN FACILITY REPAIRS AND SAFETY UPGRADES

Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region is spending $28 million to make its most pressing infrastructure repairs and safety upgrades, thanks to the government's $1 billion Ready for Growth initiative.

Upgrading nurse call systems in a number of locations throughout the region are among the projects that are planned to proceed this year.

"Replacing outdated safety systems and making basic building repairs are incredibly important to ensure the safety and comfort of patients and health providers," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "The government must protect our multi-billion dollar investment in our 236 publicly-funded health facilities. This year's funding partly addresses the significant backlog of maintenance, repairs and safety systems."

"This funding from the Government of Saskatchewan will enable the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to undertake essential repairs and improvements to support the safe delivery of health services," Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region president and CEO Dwight Nelson said. "Without this significant new capital funding, the region would have been very limited in addressing the deteriorating condition of facilities across our health region."

The 2008-09 provincial budget earmarked $100 million for health region infrastructure. Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region is receiving the increased funding as its annual block funding for capital infrastructure.

Each health region determines its most urgent priorities, and contracts with suppliers to get the work done.

Improvement projects include replacement of the Pasqua Hospital's fire alarm system, and replacement of aged boilers in several facilities.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4088 Mark Torjusen
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332