Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for the Prairie West Health District.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents. It provides for:
Hospitals in Kindersley and Kerrobert. These facilities provided in-
patient acute care services to 1,392 people last year, in addition to
numerous out-patient services, such as chemotherapy outreach,
dermatology and podiatry;
A combined nursing home/health centre in Eston and a health centre in
Eatonia providing acute and long-term care services as well as health
promotion and disease prevention programs;
Nursing homes in Kindersley and Kerrobert that serve more than 210
people every year;
Home care services to an estimated 520 people a year and respite care
services to an estimated 40 people a year 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 an average of 760 ambulance trips a year;
and
Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and
injuries including staff education that highlights health promotion as
being "everyone's job".
"The Prairie West Health District is working hard to provide and improve
service to its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see
the district work co-operatively with the shareholders of the Kindersley Senior
Care Incorporated, who have provided long term care services to the Kindersley
area, to resolve the issues that pave the way for amalgamation."
"In Prairie West we are proud of the board's efforts in building a positive
working relationship with the communities in the district. We see open
communication as an important ingredient in making the best possible decisions
for health care in our district and province," Board Chair Erhard Poggemiller
said.
Provincial funding to the Prairie West Health District including one-time
funding for Y2K and other purposes, is $12.5 million this year, up from $11.5
million last year - a 9.3 per cent increase in funding. The district has
planned for a surplus of $443,000.
"The Prairie West Health District is doing a good job of providing services to
meet local needs while managing its resources," Atkinson said. "This surplus
will contribute to the long term stability of health care services in the
district."
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown Gord Johnston, CEO
Saskatchewan Health Prairie West Health District
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 463-1022