CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW UNITY AND DISTRICT HEALTH CENTRE

Health Minister Pat Atkinson said today a new health facility in the

town of Unity signals the government's ongoing commitment to strong,

stable health services in rural Saskatchewan.



"This project means residents will be able to enjoy enhanced health

services, close to home, that meet a wide range of their health

needs," Atkinson said. "Today's sod turning is a major

accomplishment, resulting from years of hard work and collaboration

between the Greenhead Health District, community volunteers involved

in planning and fundraising, health providers and urban and rural

municipalities."



The $5.4 million project includes the addition of a nursing home to

the existing Unity Hospital, along with renovations to the hospital.

Saskatchewan Health is contributing $3.8 million to the project.



The new integrated facility will deliver a wide range of services

under one roof, including emergency and acute care, long-term care,

respite beds and a multitude of community-based services such as

public health, addictions counselling, physiotherapy and nutritional

counselling.



"Residents will be able to get all the vital services they need

in one place, such as acute care, palliative care, emergency

services, long-term care, x-rays, home care and a wide range of

community-based services," Greenhead District Health Board

Chairperson Betty Shapka said. "As well, combining local health

services in one location will allow all our health providers to

work closer together to deliver services as efficiently and

effectively as possible."



"This partnership marks a major milestone in the evolution of

health services for residents of Unity and district," Atkinson

said. "Through this partnership - and others like it - we are

building and strengthening our health system for the benefit of

all Saskatchewan citizens."



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088