GOVERNMENT INVESTS $2 MILLION TO IMPROVE SURGICAL ACCESS FOR PATIENTS

Saskatchewan Health is investing $2 million to keep pace with growing need for surgical procedures and to improve quality of care. The money will go toward reducing the need for invasive surgery and increasing efficiency of the surgical care system.

This is a commitment outlined in the government's Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care, released in December 2001, and announced in this year's budget, as part of $19 million in health equipment funding.

Saskatoon and Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authorities, where the majority of surgeries occur in the province, will each receive nearly $700,000 for surgical and specialized services equipment. The remaining money will go to support surgical equipment purchases at regional hospitals throughout the province, as well as the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

"Saskatchewan is leading the country with our comprehensive strategy to improve surgical access, developed by the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network and Saskatchewan Health. Providing more money to our major surgical centres and improving management of the surgical care system is a major part of our government's plan to improve surgical care. Our number one goal is to provide accessible, quality health care services to the people of our province, while ensuring our health system is sustainable into the future," Health Minister John Nilson said.

The new money will go toward the purchase of equipment to improve the quality of Regional Health Authority surgical programs, and to ensure better access to surgical procedures, and to reduce the need for invasive surgery. An example of this is the harmonic scalpel, a new technology for surgical procedures that will decrease trauma and subsequently lead to a shorter healing time for patients. In addition, investments in specialized treatment services, such as mammography equipment, will reduce the need for surgical biopsies.

The investment is in addition to the government's comprehensive surgical access strategy, outlined in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care. This includes a $13.2 million wait list fund in 2003-2004 for the province's major surgical centres and a number of innovations led by the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network. These include the Surgical Patient Registry to track all patients in the province requiring surgery and the Patient Assessment Process that will help doctors determine a patient's level of need for surgery.

"This investment complements the work of the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network, and matches our goal to improve the system's effectiveness, organization and efficiency, so that those who require surgery receive it within appropriate time frames," Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network Chair Dr. Peter Glynn said.

"The new equipment announced today, along with the other initiatives, will lead to greater efficiencies and more timely access to surgical care for patients. These initiatives will also benefit our province by helping us keep and attract key health professionals. As a result of placing priority on surgical access, Saskatoon Regional Health Authority has been able to increase the number of surgeries performed. This new money invested by the government will help us to continue with that trend," Saskatoon Regional Health Authority Chair Bob Bundon said.

The SSCN is an expert advisory body appointed by the government to oversee improvements in Saskatchewan's surgical care system.

Information about the surgical care system and waiting times for surgery is available at the SSCN website at www.sasksurgery.ca

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083