AGREEMENT SIGNED FOR NEW HOSPITAL IN FORT QU'APPELLE

Released on October 20, 1999

Fort Qu'Appelle is getting a new hospital.



Health Minister Pat Atkinson and the chiefs of 16 local First Nations today

signed an agreement to replace the existing Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital

(FQIH). The First Nations will own the new facility, which will continue to

provide health services to all area residents.



"The result of today's agreement will be a new and updated hospital for the

people of Fort Qu'Appelle and a strengthened relationship with our First

Nations partners," said Health Minister Pat Atkinson.



"This is a good day for First Nations people and for all the people of Fort

Qu'Appelle and area," said Ron Crowe, speaking on behalf of the First Nations

and the FQIH Holding Corporation. "The new hospital will improve access to

health services for all the people in this part of the province."



The current FQIH was built in the 1930s by the federal government to provide

health services to members of the Indian Bands in the Fort Qu'Appelle area.

Since the 1960s, the hospital has served all residents of the Fort Qu'Appelle

district. The local First Nations assumed management of the facility in 1996.

FQIH is funded through an operating agreement with the Touchwood Qu'Appelle

Health District.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088