2004 COMPARABLE HEALTH INDICATORS REPORT RELEASED

Saskatchewan Health has once again fulfilled one of its commitments to the 2003 First Ministers Accord on Health Care Renewal with the release today of the Saskatchewan 2004 Comparable Health Indicators Report.

As a step toward increased accountability to the public, this report again examines how Saskatchewan compares to other jurisdictions in Canada in a number of selected health areas, including for example, the number of deaths from heart attack or the incidence of teen smoking.

Other data show that:

· Saskatchewan scores favourably in many areas, including access to general practitioners and 24/7 healthcare

· In terms of barriers to accessing care, only 8.9 per cent of Saskatchewan respondents reported difficulty in obtaining routine or ongoing care, compared to 13.1 per cent in the rest of Canada

· Regarding surgical wait times, 80 per cent of all Saskatchewan patients are receiving their care within six months and 90 per cent within one year

Saskatchewan is one of the few jurisdictions in Canada that has chosen to present more comprehensive provincial and territorial comparisons within its report.

"The valuable statistical information contained within the report will support improved decision making, to ultimately enhance the performance of the health system, an ongoing commitment of our Action Plan on Saskatchewan Health Care, 2001, " Health Minister John Nilson said.

This is the second comparable health indicators report for Saskatchewan that expands on the work done in response to a commitment outlined by First Ministers in September 2000. The first Indicators Report was released on September 30th, 2002, as a result of that meeting.

The 2003 Accord called for a focused approach to developing indicators and reporting activities on specific program and service areas such as primary health care, home care and health system reform and sustainability.

The 2004 Comparable Health Indicators Report can be found on the Saskatchewan Health Web site at www.health.gov.sk.ca

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

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