FUNDING DISTRIBUTED FOR SURGICAL EQUIPMENT

Saskatchewan Health has given seven Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) $5.3 million in federal health funding to spend on high priority purchases of surgical equipment, and upgrading of surgical suites. The funding is part of the $66 million Saskatchewan received this year as a result of the commitment made at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

"This funding will help us address one of our highest priorities in health care – making our surgical care services efficient and timely for all patients," Health Minister John Nilson said. "Our tertiary and regional hospitals will be able to use this funding to purchase some much needed items for their operating rooms, and improve patient care and access to surgery."

The funding allocations were directed to health regions with regional or tertiary hospitals with surgical sites.

Saskatoon RHA $1,780,000
Regina Qu'Appelle RHA $1,780,000
Prairie North RHA $580,000
Cypress RHA $290,000
Five Hills RHA $290,000
Prince Albert Parkland RHA $290,000
Sunrise RHA $290,000

Additional federal funding will be directed at reducing surgical wait times by increasing the number of surgeries performed. The province plans to do the same for diagnostic services, and upgrade or replace diagnostic equipment such as computerized tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and ultrasound machines.

Under the 2004 First Ministers' agreement, the province will receive an average of $90 million in health funding each year over the next six years. Health costs are rising at approximately six per cent per year.

Editors please note: regional releases outlining spending priorities are being sent to local media in those regions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083