Released on June 24, 2013
A $2 million investment in a new Home First Quick Response Home Care pilot project will help provide seniors in Regina and area with services and supports to remain safely in their home longer.
The Government of Saskatchewan announced the funding for this project as part of the 2013-14 Budget.
“This is another example of our government putting the patient first,” Regina Walsh Acres MLA Warren Steinley said on behalf of Health Minister Dustin Duncan. “We know seniors want to maintain their independence and live in their own homes where they are most comfortable for as long as possible. This program will help us achieve that goal.”
The Home First philosophy is that when a person enters the hospital presenting with an urgent health need, every effort is made to ensure adequate resources are in place to support the patient to ultimately return home. The project, which will get underway in the coming months, will focus on seniors who go to acute care emergency departments in Regina. The aim of the project is to help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, transition patients out of the hospital sooner and respond to crisis intervention in the community.
“Seniors in Regina in need of health care or home care are expected to benefit immensely from this pilot project,” Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region President and CEO Keith Dewar said. “With this quick response initiative, we will be able to offer more immediate and effective assistance to seniors presenting in our emergency departments in both Regina hospitals, and provide them with access to enhanced supports in the community. This will allow more seniors to receive the care they need to continue living independently and safely at home, instead of remaining unnecessarily in acute care facilities.”
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594