Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for the Battlefords Health District.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents. It provides for:
Hospital services in the Battlefords. The Battlefords Union Hospital
provided in-patient acute care to 5,047 people last year. It performs
an estimated 1,500 in-patient and 1,400 day surgeries a year, in
addition to numerous outpatient services, such as diagnostic
mammography and chemotherapy;
A combined nursing home/health centre in Edam provides acute and long-
term care services as well as health promotion and disease prevention
programs;
Nursing homes in Battlefords and North Battleford serve close to 400
people every year;
Home care services to an estimated 700 people a year and respite care
services to an estimated 130 people a year, which enable people to
remain independent in their homes;
Community services such as mental health counselling, public health
(e.g. immunizations) and physical therapy;
Emergency response including more than 2,200 ambulance trips a year;
and services to help people improve their health and prevent illness
and injuries including diabetes education and breast-feeding support
services.
"The Battleford's Health District is working hard to provide and improve
service to its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see
the district developing partnerships with other local agencies to address the
pre-school needs of local children."
"The district remains committed to achieving a balanced budget while ensuring
that district residents have access to a wide range of services," Battlefords
District Health Board Chair Fred Sawula said.
Provincial funding to the Battlefords Health District, including one-time
funding for Y2K and other purposes, is $48.6 million this year, up from $ 43.9
million last year - a 10.7 per cent increase. The district has planned for a
deficit of $1.2 million
"The projected deficit of $1.2 millon equates to 2.5 per cent of the
Battlefords Health District's funding. We will be working with the district to
achieve a balanced budget to ensure the continuation of the services people
need to protect and maintain their health," Atkinson said.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown John Yarske, CEO
Saskatchewan Health Battlefords Health District
Regina North Battleford
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 446-6623