SASKATOON HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SURGICAL SUITES

Saskatoon Health Region has received $1.78 million to spend on better equipping surgical suites at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon City Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital. Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Saskatoon Health Region identified its priorities for surgical equipment and improvements to operating rooms. Its purchases will include an operating room table, laser and surgical instruments.

"This funding will help us address one of our highest priorities in health care - to make our surgical care services more efficient and timely for all patients," Health Minister John Nilson said.

"We have been successful in decreasing both the number of patients waiting for surgery in our health region and the average time that our patients wait for surgical procedures," Saskatoon Health Region Interim CEO Jean Morrison said. "Purchasing additional surgical equipment will certainly help us continue our success in this area."

Further funding will be provided to health regions for other priorities, including upgrading or purchasing diagnostic equipment. Saskatchewan Health will also invest significant portions of the federal funding in initiatives that are more provincial in nature and will serve the needs of all health regions. These include upgrading information technology systems and increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity.

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For More Information, Contact:

Leanne Nyirfa Saskatoon Health Region Saskatoon Phone: (306) 655-3386