Released on March 7, 2008
Keewatin Yatthé Health Region is receiving almost $150,000 in funding from the provincial government to make its facilities safer for patients and staff.
"There is a pressing need for new equipment in health facilities across Saskatchewan," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This investment will help address workplace safety issues and ensure that our hospitals have the appropriate equipment to meet patients' needs."
The health region will use the funding to buy safety equipment and train staff in its use. Items to be purchased include electric beds, ceiling lift tracks and bariatric equipment.
"We are very pleased to receive this funding and we know that the equipment will be of great benefit to our clients," Keewatin Yatthé Health Region CEO Richard Petit said. "Also, with the need of bariatric equipment on the rise, this funding improves our ability to provide the support needed for a safer work environment for our health service providers as they care for our people."
The investment is expected to support efforts to recruit and retain health professionals by enabling the health region to provide safer, more supportive workplaces.
The funding is part of $18 million being distributed to all health regions. Approximately $13 million will be used for safety equipment and training to reduce workplace injuries, and nearly $5 million to upgrade equipment in hospital operating rooms and recovery rooms.
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For more information, contact:
Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca
Rowena Materne
Keewatin Yatthe Health Region
Buffalo Narrows
Phone: 306-235-5834