GOVERNMENT APPROVES NEW HEALTH FACILITY FOR TURTLEFORD

Health Minister Pat Atkinson today announced that the Twin Rivers

Health District has received approval in principle for a new health

facility in Turtleford.



The proposed new facility will replace the existing Riverside Memorial

Hospital and Turtle River nursing home. It will combine all local

health services, including acute and long-term care, in one location,

ensuring residents can easily get all the health services they need.



"I'm very pleased to be able to work together with the health district

and the community of Turtleford to enhance health services for local

residents," Atkinson said. "This project signals our ongoing

commitment to strong, stable health services in rural Saskatchewan."



Twin Rivers District Health Board Chair Don Young said, "It's very

encouraging to see this project move to the next phase. This moves us

one step closer to the actual construction of a much needed health

facility for Turtleford and area."



Approval in principle means the provincial share of funding has been

allocated for the project. Saskatchewan Health and the Twin Rivers

Health District will work together to determine the scope, cost and

other details of the project before moving to the construction phase.



Young said the new facility will offer a wide range of vital

health services to meet the needs of Turtleford and areas

residents, including acute and emergency services, long-term

care, respite care, x-ray and lab services, and a multitude of

community-based services.



"Our government is committed to helping communities across

Saskatchewan strengthen and maintain local health services,"

Atkinson said. "I'm pleased to join today with the health

district and residents of Turtleford as we move ahead on this

exciting project."



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For more information, contact:

Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088