SOLID PROGRESS CONTINUES ON HEALTH ACTION PLAN

The provincial government has made substantial progress in the past three years on implementing The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care.

"The Action Plan provides a blueprint for securing the future of health care of Saskatchewan residents, and that vision continues to guide our planning and decision-making in government," Health Minister John Nilson said. "Over the past three years, we have moved forward on the immediate priorities of the plan, and built the foundation for meaningful, long-term change in our health system."

This year the provincial government budgeted $2.7 billion in Saskatchewan's publicly funded, publicly administered health care system, the largest amount ever spent in our province. In addition to funding the ongoing activities of Saskatchewan Health and its partners, this investment ensures that work is proceeding on key health plan initiatives.

Some highlights from the past three years include:

· Established the most comprehensive and far-reaching strategy in Canada to improve surgical access with the implementation of the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network that has developed a Surgical Patient Registry, surgical care co-ordinators and a Web site;

· Increasing the number of CT scans by 23,600, bringing the total performed to 90,500 per year;

· Increasing the number of MRI scans by 5,250, bringing the total performed to 17,250 per year;

· Supported health care provider retention and recruitment through a variety of initiatives such as:

* providing more than 500 new and continuing health bursaries in exchange for a commitment to work in Saskatchewan;

* adding five new physician-training seats at the College of Medicine;

* adding 100 nursing education programs seats in three year-period and 16 practical nursing seats over two years.

· Launched a 24-hour, province-wide, toll-free telephone health line offering immediate access to health advice;

· Introduced Tobacco Control legislation, including banning smoking in all enclosed public places, as of January 1st, 2005;

· Created Canada's first Health Quality Council to develop innovative ways to improve health care quality;

· Developed a Provincial Health Research Strategy; and

· Established 12 Regional Health Authorities to improve province-wide planning and co-ordination of services.

"Our government is committed to Saskatchewan's public Medicare system," Nilson said. "Together, we will continue to work on implementing the medium and long-term objectives of the Action Plan."

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For More Information, Contact:

Pete Paczko Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083