Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for the Gabriel Springs Health District.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents. It provides for:
Hospitals in Rosthern and Wakaw. These facilities provided in-patient
acute care to 1,328 people last year, in addition to numerous out-
patient services, such as chemotherapy out-reach and the out-patient
triage program;
Nursing homes in Rosthern, Wakaw and Duck Lake that serve more than 200
people every year;
Home care services to an estimated 550 people a year and respite care
services to an estimated 30 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 more than 500 ambulance trips a year; and
Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and
injuries including the Seat Belt Awareness Program, First Aid and CPR
Instructor Training, Smoking Cessation and Risk Watch Programs.
"The Gabriel Springs Health District is working hard to provide and improve
service to its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see
the district work with Mennonite Nursing Homes in Waldheim and other agencies
to develop facilities that have allowed people to move from an institutional
setting to a community living atmosphere."
Gabriel Springs District Health Board Chair Kelly Block said, "Our board is
proud of how well our district management handled some very difficult issues
during this past year. The focus on building a strong relationship with staff
and physicians in the district has allowed us to take substantial steps toward
the goals of health renewal."
Provincial funding to the Gabriel Springs Health District, including one-time
funding for Y2K and other purposes, is $11.1 million this year, up from $10.2
million last year - an 8.4 per cent increase. The district has planned for a
surplus of $52,000.
"The Gabriel Springs Health District is doing a good job of providing services
to meet local needs while managing its resources," Atkinson said. "This modest
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 Gren Smith-Windsor
Communications Branch CEO
Saskatchewan Health Gabriel Springs Health District
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 232-8227