GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN HEALTHY AND SELF-RELIANT FAMILIES

Saskatchewan continues to support a publicly funded and publicly administered health system by boosting health care spending by 8 per cent, to a record $2.5 billion. This will improve the health and well-being of families across the province.

"A health budget increase of over $184 million will help create a high-quality, patient-focused health care system," Health Minister John Nilson said. "Our government places people at the top of its agenda, and this year's investment further distinguishes our province as a national leader in health care and as a medicare pioneer."

To build for the future, $61 million has been allocated for building and renovating health care facilities over the next two years.

Health capital plans this year call for construction to begin on a new hospital at Ile a la Crosse, as well as funding for the First Nations Indian Hospital, the Weyburn Tatagwa View care home, the Yorkton Long-term Care facility and Melfort's Parkland Place. Other capital facility announcements will be made in the weeks ahead.

In the coming year, $19 million will be spent on health equipment including new diagnostic equipment, such as new CT scanners in Yorkton and Moose Jaw and the permanent location of a CT scanner in Swift Current. Other capital equipment spending will include targeted funding for improved surgical access.

Saskatchewan's health investment highlights include:

- a 6.0 per-cent increase for Regional Health Authority operations and an 8.7 per cent increase for the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency;

- $74 million to support collective agreements that will help to maintain the existing staff of health professionals and encourage others to train in these professions;

- establishing satellite renal dialysis clinics in North Battleford and a location in southern Saskatchewan to be determined in the weeks ahead;

- implementing the 24-hour telephone health advice line province-wide;

- training 80 emergency medical personnel to EMT levels, with a three-year target of 240;

- providing funding for 300 first-year students at the College of Nursing, including 40 in the new northern nurse training program, and 60 first-year students at the College of Medicine;

- $4 million for return-service training bursaries to support health provider retention and recruitment; and

- providing $1.2 million to municipalities on a 50-50 cost-shared basis for West Nile mosquito control programs.

Significant investments to improve the health and self-reliance of families are being made across government, including:

- creating 500 new childcare spaces this year as part of a commitment to achieve 1,200 new spaces over the next four years;

- through the Early Childhood Development strategy, creating 80 new childcare spots for children in vulnerable situations;

- providing an additional $1 million in Social Assistance Program (SAP) funding for persons with disabilities; and

- investing an additional $2 million for a total of $2.9 million to help over 950 persons with disabilities achieve and sustain employment.

This year the government will help 440 additional families receive the supports they need to build independence for themselves and ensure their children get the best start in life by increasing the KidsFirst budget by 45 per cent, to $13 million.

As well, the Community Initiatives Fund will invest $5 million over four years to increase the physical activity levels of Saskatchewan youth. It will also target $5.5 million over four years to increase participation and access to culture, recreation, sport and leadership programs for Aboriginal people.

The province remains committed to addressing the need for affordable housing. Through the new Centenary Affordable Housing Program (CAHP), about 1,400 new units of affordable housing will be added over the next four years for an investment of approximately $40 million, with contributions from the federal government and municipalities. This fiscal year, conditional commitments will be made to community-based organizations for the construction of more than 400 new homes with contributions of about $12 million.

"The new initiatives and enhancements we're making to our social programs will have a positive impact on the lives of Saskatchewan children and families," Community Resources and Employment Minister Glenn Hagel said.

"This budget provides investments across a broad range of health services to improve the health and self-reliance of Saskatchewan families," Nilson added. "We are investing to change the way services are delivered, so we can continue to meet the needs of Saskatchewan people as we build for the future."

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Vanessa Gooliaff-Beaupre Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083	Herman Hjlshof Community Resources and Employment Regina Phone: (306)787-0916
Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-5609