BUDGET PLAN FOR PIPESTONE HEALTH DISTRICT APPROVED

Released on March 3, 2000

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

Plan for the Pipestone Health District.



The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health

needs of its residents. It provides for:



Hospitals in Indian Head, Wolseley, Broadview and Moosomin. These

facilities provided in-patient acute care to 2,683 people last year, in

addition to numerous out-patient services, such as nutritional

education counselling and physiotherapy;



A combined nursing home/health centre in Montmarte providing acute and

long-term care services, lab and x-ray services, as well as health

promotion and disease prevention programs such as blood pressure

clinics and educational workshops;



Nursing homes in Wolseley, Indian Head, Broadview, Grenfell, Whitewood

and Moosomin that served 381 people last year;



Home care services to an estimated 720 people a year and respite care

services to approximately 130 residents that 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 1,600 ambulance trips a year; and



Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and

injuries including pre-natal classes, child health clinics and

community education workshops.



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

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

recently formalized partnership of the Pipestone Health District, SaskTel and

Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps and the resulting Early

Childhood Development Program."



Health District Board Chair John Panio said, "It is gratifying to reach out

beyond the provision of core service elements and pioneer a new program such as

the Early Childhood Development Program. We envision that this program will

have a profound impact on the development of our most valuable resource - our

children."



Provincial funding to the Pipestone Health District, including one-time for Y2K

and other purposes, is $20 million this year, up from $18.4 million last year -

a 8.9 per cent increase. The district has planned for a deficit of $374,000.



"The projected deficit of $374,000 equates to 1.9 per cent of the Pipestone

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.



-30-



For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown Carol Ringer

Communications Branch CEO

Saskatchewan Health Pipestone Health District

Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 697-4003