PRAIRIE NORTH HEALTH REGION RECEIVES FUNDING FOR SURGICAL SUITES

Prairie North Health Region has received $580,000 to spend on better equipping surgical suites at its hospitals in North Battleford and Lloydminster. Saskatchewan Health has distributed the funding from the $66 million pledged to the province at the 2004 First Ministers' Meeting.

Prairie North Health Region identified its priorities for surgical suite equipment and improvements to operating rooms. Its purchases will include an anaesthetic machine, laparoscopes, vital signs monitors, and cautery equipment to cauterize bleeding during surgery.

"This funding will help us address one of our highest priorities in health care – to make our surgical care services more efficient and timely for all patients," Health Minister John Nilson said.

"Enhancing and strengthening surgical services for residents of our communities has been a priority for Prairie North Health Region since its inception," CEO David Fan said. "Purchase of these new or replacement pieces of up-to-date surgical equipment allows us to improve patient care in our operating rooms."

"These investments address priority needs for surgical equipment and will result in improved surgical care for Prairie North residents," First Nations and Métis Relations Minister and Meadow Lake MLA Maynard Sonntag said.

Further funding will be provided to health regions for other priorities, including upgrading or purchasing diagnostic equipment. Saskatchewan Health will also invest significant portions of the federal funding in initiatives that are more provincial in nature and will serve the needs of all health regions. These include upgrading information technology systems and increasing surgical and diagnostic capacity.

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For More Information, Contact:

Linda Lewis Prairie North Health Region North Battleford Phone: (306) 446-6625