RENAL DIALYSIS SERVICES PLANNED FOR MOOSE JAW AND AREA

Planning is underway to provide renal dialysis patients in Moose Jaw and surrounding communities with treatment closer to home.

Saskatchewan Health and the Five Hills Health Region today announced a plan to establish a satellite service of six new renal dialysis stations to begin operation three days per week. The satellite will accommodate a maximum of 12 patients per day. The Government of Saskatchewan will spend an estimated $300,000 preparing for this new service in Moose Jaw. Annual operating costs will be approximately $500,000.

"Expanding renal dialysis services reflects our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care commitment 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 site will bring a significant improvement to the quality of life for dialysis patients in this part of the province who otherwise must travel to Regina several times a week."

There are currently five dialysis satellites in the province, including Tisdale, Prince Albert, Lloydminster, Swift Current, and Yorkton. A North Battleford satellite was announced in July and will be operational later this fall. The Moose Jaw satellite will be operational once planning has been completed.

"We are pleased that our health region will be part of the dialysis program in the southern part of the province. This has significant benefits not only for some of our dialysis patients who make hundreds of trips each year for treatment, but it will also offer support to Regina's dialysis unit by offering another location for treatment," Five Hills Regional Health Authority Chair Dale Toni said.

The dialysis units in Saskatoon and Regina serve the majority of the province's dialysis patients. The satellites which are currently operating serve approximately 15 per cent of the dialysis population.

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. There are about 450 patients receiving hemodialysis in hospital and 115 using home dialysis, for about 565 dialysis patients receiving care in Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

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

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