Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for the Greenhead Health District.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents. It provides for:
Hospitals in Biggar and Unity. These facilities provided in-patient
acute care services to 1,413 people in 1998/99, in addition to numerous
out-patient services, such as ultrasound, fluoroscopy and visiting
specialists;
Combined special care home/health centre in Macklin providing
observation, palliative care, convalescent care, out-patient services
and long-term care;
Health centre in Wilkie which provides observation, palliative care,
convalescent care and out-patient services;
Special care homes in Biggar, Unity, Wilkie and Macklin, which serve
more than 180 people every year;
Home care services to an estimated 570 people and respite care services
to approximately 70 people a year, which enable people to remain
independent in their homes;
Community services such as mental health counselling, public health
(e.g. immunizations), nutritional counselling, family support to
special needs families, physical and occupational therapies, health
promotion and disease prevention. These services are provided on a
weekly basis in all four major communities;
Emergency response includes close to 800 ambulance trips a year, which
are dispatched by a central professional dispatch service using a
district wide toll-free single telephone number (310-5000); and
Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and
injuries, including diabetes and heart health education programs and a
partnership with two school divisions to include youth and family
counselling in numerous district schools and teen wellness space in the
Biggar High School.
"The Greenhead Health District is working hard to provide and improve services
to its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see the
results of its community partnerships. Working with the Biggar School
Division, for example, has resulted in the construction of a teen wellness
centre at the new school in Biggar, which will provide comprehensive youth
services."
"The district is proud of the services and programs provided by its 515
employees, such as new expanded programs in specialized parenting and play
groups, multi risk-factor reduction clinics, first responders and its
relationship with district physicians and the affiliate organization in
Macklin," Chair Betty Shapka said. "I am pleased with the partnerships and
dialogue that the district has developed with district municipal governments,
school divisions and neighbouring health districts, which enable the district
to provide more services and programs to its residents."
Provincial funding to the Greenhead Health District, including one-time funding
for Y2K and other purposes, is $11.4 million this year, up from $10.5 million
last year – a 9.2 per cent increase. The district has planned for a deficit of
$86,000.
"The projected deficit of $86,000 equates to 0.75 per cent of the Greenhead
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 Eugene Motruk
Communications Branch CEO
Saskatchewan Health Greenhead Health District
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 228-6333