Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for Southwest Health District, which is headquartered in Shaunavon.
Southwest Health District provides services in a large but sparsely-populated
area of south-west Saskatchewan.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents, and provides for:
Hospitals in Leader, Maple Creek and Shaunavon. These acute-care
facilities provided in-patient services to 1,730 people last year, in
addition to numerous out-patient services, such as laboratory and x-ray
services, wound dressings and other treatments;
Nursing homes located in Maple Creek, Shaunavon and Leader and a
combined health centre/nursing home in Eastend which provides primary
medical care and long-term care services. In 1998-99, 197 persons
received long-term care and 104 received temporary (respite) care in
institutions in Southwest Health District. In addition, adult day care
services are provided at each of the nursing homes to give family care-
givers a break. In 1998-99, 59 people used 161 days of this service.
Use is expected to grow in the coming years; and
Emergency response services, including an estimated 920 ambulance trips
a year.
Southwest Health District also provides a wide array of other health services:
Home care services to more than 500 people a year, which enable people,
particularly seniors, to remain living independently in their homes
Community services such as mental health and addictions counselling,
public health nursing services such as maternal clinics and
immunizations for both babies and school-age children, flu shots for
the elderly and others at-risk, and physical therapy assessments and/or
treatments; and
Programs to help people improve their health and prevent illness and
injuries such as heart health programs, diabetes education and eating
disorder programs.
"The Southwest Health District Board and staff members are working hard to
provide and improve service to area residents," Minister Atkinson said. "I am
particularly pleased to see the health district continuing its youth counsellor
program in partnership with local school divisions."
Southwest District Health Board Chair and resident of the Leader area Dolores
Tumbach said the board is proud of the commitment and caring attitude
demonstrated by front-line care givers and support staff alike.
"We know our most valuable asset is our staff and we often hear how they will
go the extra mile to assist their residents, patients or clients to meet their
health needs," Tumbach said. "The board feels that in rural areas, it is
essential to have services located where they are easily accessible and we are
working to sustain services in all areas of our district."
Provincial funding to the Southwest Health District, including one-time funding
for Y2K and other purposes is $11.9 million this year, up from $10.9 million
last year - a 9.5 per cent increase. The district has planned for a deficit of
$516,000.
"The projected deficit of $516,000 equates to 4.3 per cent of the Southwest
Health District's funding for 1999-2000," Atkinson said. "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."
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown Alan Ruetz
Communications Branch CEO
Saskatchewan Health Southwest Health District
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 297-2523