Released on March 27, 2002
Improving health services and access to care while ensuring wise use ofhealth dollars is the focus of this year's health budget.
The 2002/03 budget includes $2.34 billion for health, a $129 million or 5.8
per cent increase over last year's budget.
"With this budget, we are moving ahead on several key priorities in our
Health Action Plan," Health Minister John Nilson said. "These include
retaining and recruiting health providers, improving management of waiting
times, supporting our province's new health authorities, improving access
to primary health care services, increasing health research spending and
establishing Canada's first Quality Council."
The budget includes $3 million in new funding to train more health
providers, offer more return-service bursaries, recruit more aboriginal
health workers and support professional development. In addition, funding
will be available to train 80 new or existing emergency medical responders
up to the Emergency Medical Technical-Basic level this year.
The budget will draw on a $18.6 million federal fund to expand primary
health care services in the province. In particular, a 24-hour telephone
line to offer immediate health advice to residents will be established this
year. As well, a portion of the money will be directed to allow nurses to
upgrade their skills to the level of primary care nurse.
To improve the management of waiting times based on patient need, the
budget includes $1.5 million in new funding to establish a province-wide
wait list system. This is in addition to the $12.5 million Wait List Fund
which will be offered to major surgical centres again this year.
Health research will receive an incremental $4 million this year, thereby
doubling the commitment made in the health plan. A strong health research
environment strengthens health services, and attracts medical specialists
and additional dollars from outside the province.
Funding to health districts/authorities is up $93 million, or 6.7 per cent,
over last year. This will support the current level of services and ensure
a sound financial start for the new health regions that will be established
this summer. As well, there is $10 million for new medical equipment.
The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency will also receive a funding increase of
almost 12 per cent.
"To spend our limited health dollars most effectively, we must focus on
priorities and make tough decisions," Nilson said.
Accordingly, some residents will be asked to pay more for long-term care
and prescription drugs. However, Nilson emphasized the government will
continue to shelter those with lower incomes.
"These decisions were not taken lightly, as we recognize that no one likes
to pay more," Nilson said. "We feel these changes are the best and fairest
way to sustain our publicly funded health care system in the midst of
growing costs, while meeting the challenges of the future for Saskatchewan
people."
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For more information, contact:
Myrna Stark Leader
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4083