REGINA'S REVAMPED MATERNAL AND BABY CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS

Celebrating a family-centred approach to maternal and infant care, Premier Brad Wall today joined kids born at Regina General Hospital, staff, donors and the public to officially open the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care.

The provincial government provided the $28.4 million in funding for the construction project. The new centre creates better integration of labour and birth services, the neonatal intensive care unit and related services for mothers and newborns in a family-centred atmosphere. There will be 36 new mother/baby rooms.

"We are here today to celebrate one more step toward a more family-centred health care system - a system that puts the patient first," Wall said.

"The children of this province are our future," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "The opening of this centre reassures me that we are giving our children the best possible start in life."

"We are pleased to bring this project to fruition, and our staff and physicians look forward to providing high-quality healthcare in this family-friendly environment," Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region President and CEO Dwight Nelson said. "The Centre will be a great benefit to the people we serve in southern Saskatchewan."

"We are proud that donors Gordon and Doug Rawlinson led the way with their desire to give back," Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Judy Davis said. "The Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care is a result of the critical support of community leaders like the Rawlinsons, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, the Ministry of Health and the Province of Saskatchewan. This is a story about building on excellence and what the community can do when we share a common vision."

Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region oversaw the three-year redevelopment project, which was split into six stages to allow construction to take place with the minimum disruption of existing services.

New equipment and furnishings for the centre were made possible through the Hospitals of Regina Foundation's Small is Big campaign. Through the vision of Gordon and Doug Rawlinson of Rawlco Radio and the generosity of many other donors, $6 million was raised for the centre. For more information, see the Foundation's website at www.hrf.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Bill Carney
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332