WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Saskatchewan is moving forward with a plan to improve child and youth acute and rehabilitative services. A group of clinicians and health care managers will be meeting with care providers, patients and families in the coming months to determine how to better integrate and deliver acute and rehabilitative care to children and youth.

These consultations are part of 'Strengthening Child and Youth Acute and Rehabilitative Services', a service review plan that was conceived last year and will result in recommendations for improved service co-ordination and a vision for the child and youth acute and rehabilitative care programs to be provided in Saskatchewan.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to meeting the needs of our children and youth," Health Minister Len Taylor said. "They form a small and dispersed population, but they deserve our best efforts and top priority."

The child and youth acute and rehabilitation services review complements other recent government investments in services for children and youth, including $700,000 for renovations to the neonatal intensive care unit at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, $150,000 for planning of a children's 'hospital within a hospital' in Saskatoon, and capital funding for the Rawlco Centre for Mother Baby Care at Regina General Hospital.

"We are blessed in this province with dedicated and highly skilled professionals providing care to our children and young people," Taylor said. "The more we can help them work effectively together, the greater the benefits for these young people and their families."

The reviewers expect to finish their consultations and provide recommendations to Saskatchewan Health later this year.

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For More Information, Contact:

Joan Petrie Health Regina Phone: 787-4083 Email: jpetrie@health.gov.sk.ca