IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL HEALTH FACILITIES

The East Central Health District is moving ahead with plans to renovate and

upgrade health care facilities in Yorkton.



Health Minister Pat Atkinson gave approval-in-principle to district plans that

address fire safety needs, Occupational Health & Safety corrections,

maintenance work and other building renovations.



"Reinvesting in local health care facilities is an essential part of our goal

to improve service delivery and ensure quality of care for people throughout

the province," Atkinson said.



Province-wide, Saskatchewan Health will spend $41.1 million on capital projects

this year. Of this amount, $7.7 million is available for new projects and

$33.4 million is committed to previously approved projects.



High provincial priority is being given to the following new East Central

Health District capital projects:



Yorkton Mental Health Centre (York & West Units) - installation of a

new fire alarm system and sprinklers; and re-roofing the York Unit; and



Yorkton Regional Health Centre - renovations to the operating room;

installation of new fire alarm and smoke detection system; installation

of a dual ventilation system to improve air quality in the operating

room; and renovations to medical ward washrooms to make them wheelchair

accessible.



In addition, the district will continue to work with the department to finalize

an ongoing project to build a new long-term care facility to replace two older

nursing homes.



-30-



For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088