Released on March 24, 1997
Health Minister Eric Cline said today that increased funding will helpensure that health services throughout the province are accessible,
compassionate and caring. Health funding for 1997/98 will grow to $1.63
billion, an increase of $56.5M over the 1996/97 health budget.
Cline said the funding increase will bring greater stability and security
to the health system. "Health districts will continue to make the
changes that are in progress. However, the major restructuring is
essentially complete. We are well on our way to achieving our goal of a
stable, secure and caring health system and we are now making an
increased investment in the future."
Cline said the budget acknowledges the issues that health workers have
raised during the difficult period of transition. "We want to provide
some level of security to health workers so that they can continue to
provide the kind of caring and compassionate service they want to give to
people without worrying about their jobs."
Health services will be more accessible and secure for both rural and
urban residents, Cline said. "Strengthening rural emergency health
services is a priority, and there will also be more support for
specialized medical services provided by urban districts."
The budget includes a commitment to support the Regina Health District in
adding Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the specialized services it
offers to residents of Southern Saskatchewan. MRI services for the
province are currently provided by the Saskatoon Health District.
Cline said that home care and community services will be further improved
to meet people's health needs and preserve their independence whenever
possible, and at the same time nursing home services would be secured.
"No one wants to be in a nursing home, but people need to know that if
and when its needed, a nursing home bed will be there for them."
Total funding for the 30 district health boards will increase by $51.3M
over last year's base budget. All districts will receive an increase in
funding, ranging from 1.8 per cent to 7.2 per cent. Funding is allocated
among districts based on population served, adjusted for an age and
characteristics that affect health.
Highlights of funding increases:
$38.7M to secure and sustain hospitals and nursing homes:
ensures the availability of hospital and nursing home care for
those who need it;
protects the quality of specialist services;
supports improved cancer treatment
$3M for additional enhancements to emergency services:
increases first responder, EMT and Paramedic services;
provides additional training for emergency workers;
$8.5M to strengthen rural and northern health services:
promotes enhanced primary care roles for nurses;
protects weekend on-call services and improves physician
recruitment;
funds telemedicine pilot projects for innovative delivery of
enhanced health services.
$6.3M to enhance home care and community services:
ensures access to home care any time of the day or night;
adds to alcohol and drug services and increases the range of
services provided through community health centres;
supports the government's Child Action Plan by enhancing
parenting support, early childhood skills and immunization
programs for high-risk areas.
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For more information, contact:
Mark Seland
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-3825