SUN COUNTRY HEALTH REGION RECEIVES INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING

Saskatchewan Health is distributing money to health regions from the incremental federal funding pledged to provinces at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting. Saskatchewan received $66 million this fiscal year, which will be spent on improving patient access to quality services.

Sun Country Health Region received $470,000 earmarked specifically for infrastructure upgrades. The region has identified its priorities for upgrades including a new nurse call system, fire code upgrades and H.V.A.C. upgrades at Estevan Regional Nursing Home and partial roof replacements at facilities in Carlyle and Oxbow.

"The regional health authorities are making wise investments that will support better patient care," Health Minister John Nilson said. "We are working together to address immediate needs within the health system, while also looking to the future to create improved, sustainable health care."

"We are very pleased with this new money that is specifically identified for infrastructure projects," Sun Country Health Region CEO Lee Spencer said. "In the normal course of budgeting, money always goes first to patient care and often infrastructure upgrades have to wait. These new dollars that are specifically for infrastructure will allow the Health Region to address the need for improvements that have been waiting for some time."

Health regions will receive additional funding for other areas, such as purchasing equipment and improving patient safety. Saskatchewan Health will also invest significant portions of the federal funding in initiatives that are more provincial in nature, and that will serve the needs of all health regions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4093

Eric Brown Sun Country Health Region Weyburn Phone: (306)842-8353