PROGRESS IN 10-YEAR PLAN TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH CARE

Saskatchewan's report on The 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care demonstrates the province's commitment to account for how it has invested federal funding and outlines the progress made in the priority areas identified in the 2004 First Ministers' Accord.

Saskatchewan has fully invested federal funding in the province's health care system and has achieved:

• significant reduction of wait times;
• improved health human resource management;
• increased access to home care;
• enhanced pharmaceutical coverage;
• improved primary care; and
• expanded health promotion and disease prevention.

"Saskatchewan takes public reporting and accountability very seriously," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "Since signing the 2004 accord, Saskatchewan has consistently met its reporting commitments in a prompt and transparent manner."

A conference on Timely Access in February 2007 was co-chaired by Taylor and the federal Health Minister Tony Clement. The conference highlighted provincial and territorial achievements and remaining challenges in reducing wait times and improving access for Canadian residents.

"One of the most significant challenges is rising costs in health care," Taylor said. "While the additional funding from the Accord is welcome, federal funding is not keeping pace with provincial health expenditures."

Saskatchewan's share of the federal Wait Time Reduction Fund will decline from $37.2 million in 2007-8 to $18.6 million in 2008-09, and $7.8 million in 2009-10. The fund expires in 2010.

A copy of the report on The 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care is available on the Saskatchewan Health website at http://www.health.gov.sk.ca//health-care-10yr-plan-2007.

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For more information, contact:

Joan Petrie
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca