Released on March 7, 2008
Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region is receiving more than $140,000 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 bariatric beds, bariatric wheelchairs and patient lift equipment.
"This new equipment will have a positive impact not only on the services we provide in our facilities, but through homecare as well," Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region chief executive officer Kathy Chisholm said. "It will reduce the risk of lifting injuries to health care workers and assist in safe moving of clients in health care settings. Staff and clients in Creighton, La Ronge, Pinehouse, Sandy Bay and Weyakwin will all benefit from this funding."
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
Linda Mikolayenko
Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region
La Ronge
Phone: 306-425-4812