RENAL SATELLITE SERVICE OPENS IN NORTH BATTLEFORD

Residents of The Battlefords and area can now receive renal dialysis services closer to home.

Saskatchewan Health and the Prairie North Health Region today officially opened a hemodialysis satellite service in North Battleford. The service will operate three days per week for the time being, and ultimately has the capacity to serve up to 12 patients per day, six days per week. The Government of Saskatchewan invested $300,000 for renovation of the space for the satellite in Battlefords Union Hospital. Annual operating costs will be approximately $480,000.

Health Minister John Nilson says expansion of renal dialysis services reflects a commitment in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care to provide accessible, quality health care services, within a sustainable health system.

"This addition to our hemodialysis network is part of our pledge to ensure that health services effectively and efficiently meet the needs of residents across the province," Nilson said. "The new site will significantly improve its clients' quality of life, by saving them time and money, and more importantly, removing some of the stress from this physically demanding treatment."

North Battleford is the sixth dialysis satellite service in the province. The others are located in Tisdale, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Swift Current, and Yorkton. A seventh satellite in Moose Jaw is in the planning stages.

"We are pleased that North Battleford is now a part of Saskatchewan's hemodialysis satellite system," Prairie North Regional Health Authority Chair Bonnie O'Grady said. "This significantly benefits not only our dialysis patients who make hundreds of trips each year for treatment, but it also supports Saskatoon's dialysis unit by reducing the number of patients using their facility."

Dialysis units in Saskatoon and Regina serve most of Saskatchewan's hemodialysis patients and act as the "home units" for the satellite sites. The satellites serve approximately 17 per cent of dialysis clients.

Dialysis removes waste from the blood by simulating natural kidney function. This prevents a build up of toxins that can be debilitating and ultimately fatal. About 600 dialysis patients receive care in Saskatchewan, approximately 485 of whom receive hemodialysis. Another 114 people use home dialysis.

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083 Email: mrathwell@health.gov.sk.ca