ATHABASCA HEALTH AUTHORITY TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF FAR NORTH

Released on January 28, 1999

Associate Health Minister Judy Junor and Northern Affairs Minister

Keith Goulet today attended a historic signing ceremony in Black Lake

marking another step toward operation of the Athabasca Health

Authority and greater northern, local control over health services.



The authority will function much like a district health board,

operating community-based, long-term care and acute-care services in

the Athabasca Basin. However, it will receive its funding from

federal, provincial and First Nations sources.



The far north Athabasca Basin communities of Camsell Portage, Uranium

City, Fond du Lac First Nation, Stony Rapids and Black Lake First

Nation signed an agreement today, making them official members of the

Athabasca Health Authority. A framework agreement for the

establishment of the authority and construction of the new Athabasca

Health Facility was signed in 1996.



"The Athabasca Health Authority is a partnership which will enhance

health services to northern residents by improving the integration and

coordination of provincial, First Nations and federal health

services," Junor said.



The Athabasca Health Authority's plans include a new

federal/provincial funded health centre near Stony Rapids, on

Black Lake First Nation land.



"The location of this new health facility closer to the

majority of the population of the Athabasca region will improve

access to health services," Goulet added. "We are pleased to

invest in improving the health infrastructure of northern

Saskatchewan."



The health care facility, which will provide community-based,

long-term care and acute-care services, is scheduled for

completion in fall 2000. This is the first time long-term care

services will be available in the Athabasca Basin.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306)787-4088