UNITY HEALTH CENTRE OFFICIALLY OPENS

Released on April 6, 2001

Residents of Unity and area have a brand new health centre. Greenhead

Health District and representatives from local towns, villages and rural

municipalities celebrated the official opening of the Unity and District

Health Centre today.



The health centre replaces the old Unimac Pioneers Lodge with additions and

renovations to the existing Unity Hospital. The new facility consolidates

community services under one roof. This includes:



long-term care;



acute care including intensive care;



maternity services;



diagnostic services including lab and x-ray;



palliative and respite care;



emergency services including ambulance services;



home care; and



community health services including mental health, youth

counselling, addiction services, public health nursing,

occupational therapy, physiotherapy and dietitian services.



The new centre reflects government's commitment to work with partners in

the health sector to provide accessible, quality health care services to

the people of Saskatchewan, according to Health Minister John Nilson.



"Individuals and families in Unity and the surrounding communities are

benefiting from a new health centre with access to integrated long-term

care, acute care, home care and community programs all in one location,"

Nilson said, speaking at today's grand opening.



"The new health centre was the result of a lot of hard work, planning and

co-operation," Greenhead District Health Board Chair Betty Shapka said.

"The facility and the services offered here were developed with the needs

of local residents in mind."



Both Nilson and Shapka recognized the volunteer work of local residents,

health care providers, service organizations and others, who have devoted

their time and energy to this project.



The total project cost of $6.65 million includes a provincial contribution

of $3.8 million and a local share of $2.85 million.



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For more information, contact:



Rikki Boté Eugene Motruk

Communications Branch Chief Executive Officer

Health Greenhead Health District

Phone: (306) 787-4083 Phone: (306) 228-6330