RENAL SATELLITE SERVICE AVAILABLE IN MOOSE JAW

Residents of Moose Jaw and area can now receive hemodialysis services closer to home.

Health Minister John Nilson today officially opened the Five Hills Health Regions new hemodialysis satellite service. It will operate three days per week, serving about 12 patients who previously travelled to Regina for treatment.

Nilson said expansion of hemodialysis 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."

Moose Jaw's site is the seventh dialysis satellite service in the province. The others are located in Tisdale, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Swift Current, Yorkton and North Battleford.

"We are pleased that Five Hills Health Region is now a part of Saskatchewan's hemodialysis satellite system," Five Hills Regional Health Authority Chairperson Dale Toni said. "Some hemodialysis patients have been making two or three trips a week to Regina for treatment, experiencing the stress of travel to receive care. By offering treatment closer to home, we hope to reduce travel time, stress and expenses, and allow patients to lead more normal lives. This unit also supports Regina's dialysis unit by reducing the number of patients using their facility."

The Moose Jaw Health Foundation donated $150,000 toward the initiative. "We have a mandate to fundraise for equipment, programs and services that secure our hospital and the health of our residents," Chairman Don Forer stated. "The community we represent is very proud to assist patients and their families with life saving equipment. This unit will have an immense effect on the lives of Moose Jaw families." Forer commended the community for its loyal support and true commitment to healthcare in Moose Jaw.

The Government of Saskatchewan invested approximately $1 million for training, equipment and renovations at Moose Jaw Union Hospital. Annual operating costs will be approximately $500,000. Saskatchewan Health continues to support population health initiatives that will reduce the growing need for dialysis, by promoting the positive benefits of healthy lifestyles in preventing Type 2 diabetes, the leading cause of kidney disease.

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 18 per cent of dialysis clients.

Hemodialysis is one form of kidney replacement therapy which 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, about 400 people are living with a kidney transplant, and over 780 patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease are attending Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) clinics. The CRI program operates as an inter-disciplinary approach to chronic kidney disease care, to delay or prevent the need for kidney replacement therapy.

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For More Information, Contact:

Pete Paczko Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083 Cell: (306)537-3593

Craig Beesley Program Director, Five Hills Health Region Moose Jaw Phone: (306)694-0300