Released on March 3, 2000
Health Minister Pat Atkinson has confirmed approval of the 1999-2000 BudgetPlan for the Prince Albert Health District.
The plan outlines how the district is providing services to meet the health
needs of its residents. It provides for:
A hospital in Prince Albert. The Victoria Union Hospital provides in-
patient acute care to approximately 7,600 people a year, and performs
an estimated 2,300 in-patient and 3,600 day surgeries a year, in
addition to numerous out-patient services, such as endoscopy procedures
and specialist clinics;
Health centres in Birch Hills and Kinistino providing primary care
services as well as health promotion and disease prevention programs
such as health fairs, physiotherapy services and dietician services;
Nursing homes in Prince Albert, Birch Hills and Kinistino which serve
more than 550 people every year;
Home care services to an estimated 1,520 people a year and respite care
services 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 estimated 4,400 ambulance trips a year;
and
Services to help people improve their health and prevent illness and
injuries including the Maternal Discharge Support Program, the Diabetes
Education initiative and sponsoring the Bicycle Rodeo Days to encourage
bike helmet usage.
"The Prince Albert Health District is working hard to provide and improve
service to its residents," Atkinson said. "I am particularly pleased to see
the district show leadership in developing intersectoral strategies to address
population health needs. For example, it has developed early childhood
programming to help ensure children in the district get the best possible start
in life."
"In pursuit of its goal to reach its full potential as a regional referral
centre, the Prince Albert Health District set out to develop a solid team of
medical and surgical specialists. I am pleased to report that there are three
or more specialists in each of the core services - general surgery,
orthopedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, psychiatry and
pediatrics - providing care 365 days per year. This is truly a remarkable
achievement for a district of this size," Prince Albert Health District Board
Chair Carol Beck said.
Provincial funding to the Prince Albert Health District, including one-time
funding for Y2K and other purposes, is $58.4 million this year, up from $53.2
million last year - a 9.7 per cent increased in funding. The district has
planned for a surplus of $509,000.
"The Prince Albert 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 Stan Rice, CEO
Saskatchewan Health Prince Albert Health District
Phone: (306) 787-4088 Phone: (306) 765-6100