SUNRISE HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SURGICAL SUITES

Sunrise Health Region has received $290,000 to spend on better equipping surgical suites at Yorkton Regional Hospital. Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Sunrise Health Region identified its priorities for surgical suite equipment and improvements to operating rooms. Its purchases will include operating room theatre lights, a gastroscope, colonoscope, and other surgical instruments.

"This funding will help us address one of our highest priorities in health care – to make our surgical care services more efficient and timely for all patients," Health Minister John Nilson said.

"This funding will allow Sunrise Health Region to maintain and improve current levels of patient care," CEO Joe Kirwan said. "Technological advances in surgical equipment are always evolving, and the timing of this funding allows the region to modernize our operating rooms accordingly."

"Our residents will benefit from these carefully planned investments in health facilities," Deputy Premier and Yorkton MLA Clay Serby said. "This supports our goal of high quality, surgical care for our residents."

Further funding will be provided to health regions for other priorities, including upgrading or purchasing diagnostic equipment. Saskatchewan Health will also invest significant portions of the federal funding in initiatives that are more provincial in nature and will serve the needs of all health regions. These include upgrading information technology systems and increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Donaldson Sunrise Health Region Yorkton Phone: (306) 786-0733