SASKATOON HEALTH REGION IMPROVES PATIENT CARE AND STAFF SAFETY

Saskatoon Health Region has received $2,650,000 in federal funding to improve patient care and make its health facilities safer for staff. The funding is part of the $66 million given to Saskatchewan as a result of the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Saskatchewan Health has approved the Regional Health Authority's plan to address safety and patient care priorities in its health facilities. The amount of funding the region received is based on the percentage of long-term, acute care and mental health beds in the health region.

"This funding will help patients, by providing equipment that contributes directly to their care and comfort," Health Minister John Nilson said. "It will also benefit caregivers, by helping health regions address staff needs so that we can improve safety and reduce injuries in our health facilities. We are committed to doing everything we can to retain our valuable health care providers and give our patients the best possible care environment."

The health region's planned investments include a mobile infant warmer, patient lifts, beds and stretchers, therapy tubs, IV pumps, floor scrubbers, calibration equipment, special work tables, and equipment designed to transport or accommodate heavy patients.

"Providing a safe workplace for our employees is of the utmost importance to us," Saskatoon Health Region interim CEO Jean Morrison said. "This funding will help us meet our occupational health and safety needs, which benefits not only our staff, but our patients and clients as well."

Additional federal funding has been set aside for health regions for other priority areas, including purchasing equipment, reducing surgical and diagnostic wait times, and health provider recruitment and retention.

The federal funding available this fiscal year amounts to about three per cent of Saskatchewan's $2.7 billion annual health budget. Of the $66 million dollars provided, Saskatoon Health Region will directly receive over $10 million.

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For More Information, Contact:

Leanne Nyirfa Communications, Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386