CYPRESS HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SURGICAL SUITES

Cypress Health Region has received $290,000 to spend on better equipping surgical suites at Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current. Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Cypress Health Region identified its priorities for surgical suite equipment and improvements to operating rooms. Its purchases will include two patient lifts for operating rooms, a new blood and fluid warmer, and a cautery machine to cauterize bleeding during surgery.

"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.

"These targeted expenditures will make a real difference to our surgical patients, and support a high level of quality surgical care for the residents of our region," Cypress Regional Health Authority Chair Dennis Lafreniere said.

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:

Bryce Martin Cypress Health Region Swift Current Phone: (306) 778-5117