Released on March 7, 2008
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region is receiving more than $3.5 million in funding from the provincial government for safety equipment and training and improvements to hospital surgical equipment.
"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 spend over $2.2 million to purchase safety equipment and train staff in its use. Items to be purchased include patient lifts, repositioning sheets, slings, electric beds and transfer belts.
"The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has made a commitment to a sustained culture of patient and staff safety," Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Employee Health and Safety director Darren Cherwaty said. "This funding will help us meet that commitment. It will also assist in our efforts to retain and recruit health care staff by creating a safer workplace where staff want to be and clients receive excellent quality care."
The remaining $1.2 million will be used to upgrade surgical equipment in hospital operating rooms and recovery rooms.
The investment will support efforts to recruit and retain health professionals by enabling health regions 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
Lori Foster
Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5289