FIVE HILLS HEALTH REGION IMPROVES PATIENT CARE AND STAFF SAFETY

Five Hills Health Region has received $620,000 in federal funding to improve patient care and make its health facilities safer for staff. The funding is part of the $66 million given to Saskatchewan as a result of the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Saskatchewan Health has approved the Regional Health Authority's plan to address safety and patient care priorities in its health facilities. The amount of funding the region received is based on the percentage of long-term, acute care and mental health beds in the health region.

"This funding will help patients, by providing equipment that contributes directly to their care and comfort," Health Minister John Nilson said. "It will also benefit caregivers, by helping health regions address staff needs so that we can improve safety and reduce injuries in our health facilities. We are committed to doing everything we can to retain our valuable health care providers and give our patients the best possible care environment."

The health region's planned investments include electric beds for long-term care facilities, patient lifts, bathing systems, and a variety of laboratory and hospital equipment.

"This funding allows us to purchase the kind of equipment that contributes in ways both large and small to the day-to-day comfort of patients and safety of staff," Five Hills Regional Health Authority Board Chair Dale Toni said.

"This is good for our community and all who have contact with the health care system. Patients will receive an improved level of care and comfort, and staff will enjoy a safer, more efficient work environment," Centennial Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said.

Additional federal funding has been set aside for health regions for other priority areas, including purchasing equipment for surgical suites, reducing surgical and diagnostic wait times, and health provider recruitment and retention.

The federal funding available this fiscal year amounts to about three per cent of Saskatchewan's $2.7 billion annual health budget. Of the $66 million dollars provided, Five Hills Health Region will directly receive approximately $1.7 million.

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For More Information, Contact:

Craig Beesley Five Hills Health Region Moose Jaw Phone: (306) 694-0296