BUDGET PLAN FOR PARKLAND HEALTH DISTRICT APPROVED

Released on March 3, 2000

Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 Budget

Plan for the Parkland Health District. The plan outlines how the district is

providing services to meet the health needs of its residents. It provides for:



Hospitals in Big River, Spiritwood, Shellbrook and Hafford. These

facilities provide in-patient acute care to more than 1,500 people a

year, in addition to numerous out-patient services, such as

physiotherapy and occupational therapy;



Nursing homes combined with hospitals or health centres in Leoville and

Hafford providing acute and long-term care, as well as health promotion

and disease prevention programs such as Heart Health Programs, Diabetes

Education Clinics and the Healthy Babies Right from the Start program;



Nursing homes in Big River, Spiritwood, Shellbrook, Leask and Canwood

which serve more than 230 people every year;



Home care services to an estimated 650 people and respite care services

to close to 100 people a year which enable people to remain independent

in their own homes;



Community services such as mental health counselling, public health

(e.g. immunizations) and physical therapy;



Emergency response including more than 1,500 ambulance trips a year; and



Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and

injuries including Bicycle Safety, the Heart to Heart Program and The

Fly Higher program.



"The Parkland Health District is working hard to provide and improve service to

its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see the district

look for opportunities to improve care delivery and efficiency by consolidating

services, as it has in Big River and Spiritwood."



"I look forward to the opening of the new hospital in Big River this spring

that will be attached to the existing long term care facility," Parkland Health

District Chair Mervin Prystupa said. "This facility was greatly needed in the

community and local residents can be proud of the fundraising that was done to

make this project a reality."



Provincial funding to the Parkland Health District, including one-time funding

for Y2K and other purposes, is $14.6 million this year, up from $13.5 million

last year - a 8.4 per cent increase. The District has planned for a deficit of

$718,000.



"The projected deficit equates to 4.9 per cent of the Parkland 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 Jean Morrison

Communications Branch CEO

Saskatchewan Health Parkland Health District

Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 883-3300