FUNDING BOOST FOR REGINA MOTHER BABY CENTRE

A major project to integrate maternal and infant services at Regina General Hospital can begin construction as soon as possible, thanks to increased provincial funding.

The RAWLCO Centre for Mother Baby Care is a family-centred care facility, where women and babies are cared for together through their hospital stay. The facility's design provides private rooms and extra space for family and/or support people to be fully involved.

Tenders for the multi-stage, multi-year Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care project came in much higher than original estimates. To keep the project on track, Health Minister Don McMorris announced today a $6 million boost, to bring total provincial funding to $28 million.

"With a facility that has a neonatal intensive care unit, along with a mother baby unit, and a special care nursery all in one place, we needed to start this significant project now," McMorris said. "The growing construction market in Western Canada has driven up costs for building, and we do not want to lose momentum on what is a very important upgrade that will improve health services for the people of Saskatchewan."

The tender for the project has been awarded to PCL Construction Management. The company expects to begin construction soon, with completion of all phases by 2011.

"Delaying even a short time could have jeopardized this project, which will see existing labour, maternity and post-partum care move into an available adjacent space to minimize disruption to these services during construction," Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region vice-president of specialty care Diane Larrivee said. "The end result of this project will be a family-friendly environment that provides patient-centred care, helps families raise healthy children and attracts health professionals to careers in Saskatchewan."

"We want to thank the many corporate and individual donors who have given $6 million to provide new equipment and furniture that will ensure the highest quality of care, education and follow-up for families," Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority chair Lloyd Boutilier said.

Saskatchewan media company Rawlco Radio contributed $1.5 million.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

Mark Torjusen
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332