PROVINCE RELEASES PROGRESS REPORT ON HEALTH ACTION PLAN

Saskatchewan Health is today releasing a progress report on The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care. The report outlines the progress made to date on the goals and initiatives identified in the original Action Plan issued in December 2001.

"I am very pleased to present this report today. The significant progress that has been made is a source of great pride to all of us in Saskatchewan. We created a blueprint to secure the future of health care for Saskatchewan and that vision has continued to guide our planning and decision-making in government," Health Minister John Nilson said.

Some of the highlights of the progress report include:

• Invested $2.527 billion in 2003-04 in a publicly funded, publicly administered health care system, the largest amount ever spent in Saskatchewan. Health expenditures now account for 42 cents of every dollar our government spends on programs and services;
• Established the most comprehensive and far-reaching strategy in Canada to improve surgical access with the implementation of the Saskatchewan Surgical Care Network (SSCN) that has developed a Surgical Patient Registry, surgical care co-ordinators and a Web site – www.sasksurgery.ca
• Launched a 24-hour, province-wide, toll-free telephone HealthLine offering immediate access to health advice: 1-877-800-0002;
• Supported health care provider retention and recruitment through a variety of initiatives such as:
• The addition of 100 seats in the Nursing Education Program over three years, bringing the total to 400 per year;
• The addition of 40 nursing seats as part of a new northern nursing degree program, bringing the total to 80 per year;
• The addition of 16 practical nursing seats over two years, bringing the total to 135 per year;
• The addition of five new physician-training seats at the College of Medicine, bringing the total to 60; and
• More than 500 new and continuing bursaries in exchange for a commitment to work in Saskatchewan.
• Created Canada's first Health Quality Council to promote excellence, accountability, co-ordinated planning and evidence-based decision-making in the province's health care system;
• Provided $61 million over the next two years for renewal of Saskatchewan's health care facilities;
• Provided $19 million for the acquisition of medical and diagnostic equipment;
• The Government of Saskatchewan announced a major commitment to build a new Academic Health Sciences Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Based on work done to date the project is estimated to cost $120 million to complete; and
• Formed 12 Regional Health Authorities to replace 32 health districts to reduce duplication and improve planning and co-ordination among regions.

"The people of Saskatchewan value health care, and have a strong and enduring belief in our health care system," Nilson said. "We will support that belief, and that pride, by remaining the strongest advocate of Medicare in Canada."

To read The Saskatchewan Action Plan for Health Care or The Progress Report on the Saskatchewan Action Plan for Health Care visit the Saskatchewan Health Web site at www.health.gov.sk.ca

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083