HUMBOLDT AREA CELEBRATES HEALTH COMPLEX GRAND OPENING

Premier Brad Wall joined the people of Humboldt and surrounding area today as they celebrated the opening of the $40 million Humboldt District Health Complex. The opening comes almost 100 years after the city's first hospital began construction in 1911.

Community members converged for the ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning in the angular, earth-toned building on the northwest edge of Humboldt. The 7,458 square metre building (approximately 80,000 square feet) will be ready to receive its first patients by mid-April.

"The government is committed to the renewal of vital infrastructure across the province," Wall said. "We are working with Saskatchewan health regions to put patients first by making health facilities safer and more comfortable, reducing wait times and improving the quality and efficiency of services."

"An integrated facility such as the Humboldt District Health Complex is a good example of how Saskatoon Health Region puts patients first," Saskatoon Health Region President and CEO Maura Davies said. "This approach supports exceptional service and client-centred care. We want to ensure that when people need health services, they can access many of these services in one place, with care providers working together to meet the needs of clients and their families."

The provincial government provided $26 million toward planning and construction. Local funding for construction: Saskatoon Health Region provided $3.1 million; the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation raised $1 million; the remaining $9.9 million was committed from 29 area municipalities and previous hospital reserves. The foundation also raised $2.5 million for furnishings and equipment.

"This combined health facility is evidence that it is possible to offer high-quality regional health services in rural areas," Education Minister and Humboldt MLA Donna Harpauer said on behalf of Health Minister Don McMorris.

Residents have a chance to see the new building during tours April 1 to 3. The new hospital has the capacity for 34 inpatients, with an additional four-bed observation area and 10 day-surgery spaces. There is increased capacity for resident and visiting surgeons, diagnostics, therapies and cancer care.

The new emergency department opens April 12, with other services, including a range of community health services, making the move during April.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Linda Walker
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3476