BUDGET PLAN FOR SOUTH CENTRAL HEALTH DISTRICT APPROVED

Released on March 3, 2000

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

Plan for the South Central Health District.



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

needs of its residents. It provides for:



The hospital in Weyburn. This facility provides in-patient acute care

to an estimated 1,900 people a year and performs 500 in-patient and day

surgeries a year. It also provides numerous out-patient services, such

as emergency out-patient care, day surgery and diagnostic,

rehabilitation, social work and dietetic services;



Combined special care homes/health centres in Bengough, Coronach and

Radville providing acute and long-term care as well as health promotion

and disease prevention programs. These include diabetic education,

dietetic and rehabilitation services;



Special care homes in Weyburn which serve more than 400 residents per

year;



A health centre in Pangman;



Home care services to an estimated 670 people a year and respite care

services to an estimated 110 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 1,440 ambulance trips a

year; and



Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and

injuries including patient education, problem gambling awareness

education, a health promotion newsletter, parenting classes, and

playground safety education.



"The South Central Health District is working hard to provide and improve

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

the district's plans to enhance emergency medical services through training of

First Responders, completing an ambulance site in Radville and offering

advanced training (EMT-A) for its emergency medical technicians."



South Central District Health Board Chair Ernest Elder said, "We are proud of

the services we provide. A recent accreditation survey confirmed our belief

that the citizens of South Central Health District are receiving the best

quality care available anywhere in Canada, according to national standards.

After comparing against 372 standards, the report contained only six

recommendations for improvement."



Provincial funding to the South Central Health District, including one-time

funding for Y2K and other purposes, is $30.3 million this year, up from $27.4

million last year - a 10.5 per cent increase in funding: The district has

planned for a balanced budget.



"The South Central Health District is doing a good job of providing services to

meet local needs while managing its resources," Atkinson said. "Their balanced

budget approach will contribute to the long term stability of health care

services in the district."



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown Lee Spencer

Communications Branch CEO

Saskatchewan Health South Central Health District

Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 842-7211