SASKATOON HEALTH REGION INVESTS IN FACILITY REPAIRS AND SAFETY UPGRADES

Saskatoon Health Region is spending $34.2 million to make its most pressing infrastructure repairs and safety upgrades, thanks to the government's $1 billion Ready for Growth initiative.

Improvements to nurse call systems, emergency generators and fire alarm systems are among the projects that are planned to proceed this year.

"Replacing outdated safety systems and making basic building repairs are incredibly important to ensure the safety and comfort of patients and health providers," Health Minister Don McMorris said at a news conference in Saskatoon's St. Paul's Hospital. "The government must protect our multi-billion dollar investment in our 236 publicly-funded health facilities. This year's funding partly addresses the significant backlog of maintenance, repairs and safety systems."

"The Saskatoon Health Region is very pleased to receive this infrastructure funding," Saskatoon Health Region board chairperson Darlene Eberle said. "It allows us to make capital improvements to many of our rural and urban health care facilities. This is very important for sustaining health services throughout our region. The improvements align well with our strategic direction of transforming the care and service experience."

The 2008-09 provincial budget earmarked $100 million for health region infrastructure. Saskatoon Health Region is receiving the increased funding as its annual block funding for capital infrastructure.

Each health region determines its most urgent priorities, and contracts with suppliers to get the work done.

Improvement projects include roofing repairs and upgrades to chillers and elevators.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083 James Winkel
Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-655-3253