IMPORTANT EVENT CELEBRATING NEW FORT QU'APPELLE HOSPITAL

Residents of the Fort Qu'Appelle area are celebrating the official opening of a new $12.8 million health care facility today.

"The opening of the new All Nations' Healing Hospital is an extremely exciting event for the residents of Fort Qu'Appelle and all Saskatchewan people," Nilson said. "This is another example of how we are continuing to invest in capital projects to ensure we have a strong network of health care facilities across the province."

The new facility replaces the existing Ft. Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital originally built nearly 70 years ago. The hospital includes 13 acute care beds, one palliative care bed, a large outpatient and diagnostic area and support services. There is also space for First Nations health services, a Shared Vision Centre that will provide mental health services, and a spiritual cultural program.

"The culturally sensitive design elements incorporated into the facility accommodate an approach to health care that recognizes the relationship between mind, spirit, body and community," Nilson said. "What has been achieved here will go a long way to providing better knowledge and understanding between all nations and communities."

The new facility is located on First Nations' land and will operate as an independent non-profit corporation affiliated with the Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority.

"This is an example of what can happen when everyone comes together in the true spirit of co-operation," Hospital Board Chair Dean Bellegarde said. "As a result of these efforts we now have a facility where traditional values and concepts are integrated with health care services to a provide a unique, community-centred facility."

The province contributed $11.2 million to the project. The File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council is responsible for furnishings and equipment, and has already set aside $1.2 million in partial fulfillment of that commitment. The hospital board has established a volunteer committee to raise a further $500,000.

The federal Government provided funding to the province in 1996 to be used toward three health care facilities. A total of $11.2 million was designated for the construction of three projects in Fort Qu'Appelle, La Ronge and the Athabasca Basin.

This year, the Saskatchewan Health Budget included $22 million for capital construction to ensure health care facilities are located where they are needed.

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For More Information, Contact:

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