REGINA QU'APPELLE HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SURGICAL SUITES

Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has received $1.78 million to spend on better equipping surgical suites at the Regina General and Pasqua Hospitals. Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region identified its priorities for surgical suite equipment and improvements to operating rooms. The largest single expenditure of $650,000 will purchase four new anesthesia machines for Regina General Hospital. Other investments will include a specialized operating room table, overhead lights for operating rooms and surgical retractors.

"This funding will help us address one of our highest priorities in health care – to make our surgical care services more efficient and timely for all patients," Health Minister John Nilson said.

Dr. George Carson, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and chairperson of Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region's Clinical Capital Equipment Committee, endorsed the region's decisions about how to use the additional funding on capital purchases for surgical care.

"Targeting pressing equipment needs in surgical care will make an immediate difference to many patients, and help us make some progress in reducing wait times," Carson said. "It's gratifying to see the region receive some additional funds to make practical improvements to facilities and purchase some of the equipment we need to provide health care services to the citizens of the region and all of southern Saskatchewan."

Further funding will be provided to health regions for other priorities, including upgrading or purchasing diagnostic equipment. Saskatchewan Health will also invest significant portions of the federal funding in initiatives that are more provincial in nature and will serve the needs of all health regions. These include upgrading information technology systems and increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity.

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Torjusen Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Regina Phone: (306) 766-5332