PROVINCE HELPS PRINCE ALBERT PARKLAND HEALTH REGION COVER COST OF INCREASED SERVICES

The Government of Saskatchewan is providing Prince Albert Parkland Health Region with an additional $5.2 million to cover increased staffing costs due to increasingly heavy demand for health services this year.

The funding is in addition to the health region's 2008-09 allocation of $129.8 million from the Ministry of Health.

Local population growth and a mini baby boom has put pressure on health services in the region. Demand has spiked for obstetrics (before, during and after childbirth), acute care services, and high volumes of x-rays and other diagnostic procedures.

"Recent population growth forced the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region to respond to unforeseen service volume pressures," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister and Prince Albert-Carlton MLA Darryl Hickie said. "This additional funding addresses Prince Albert and area's immediate health care service needs."

"The additional funding from the Ministry of Health is greatly appreciated," Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority board chair Gord Dobrowolsky said. "The region's administration and staff have identified that service volumes, particularly in our hospitals, have increased substantially in the past few years. This funding is recognition of the hard work that our staff and physicians are doing to meet the health care needs of the people we serve."

Prince Albert Parkland Health Region provides services and programs to more than 77,000 people in one city, and 40 towns, villages and rural municipalities, as well as 12 First Nations. It is a major referral centre for health care services for residents of northern Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Doug Dahl
Prince Albert Parkland Health Region
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-765-6409