Released on July 12, 2021
Saskatchewan and Alberta pledge to provide a seamless, coordinated approach to health care services for the residents of Lloydminster and the surrounding area.
Alberta Minister of Health Tyler Shandro and Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further enhance collaboration between the two provinces on the delivery of health services in the Lloydminster area.
"A location as distinctive as Lloydminster that serves not one but two provinces, requires a unique approach to health care services", Minister Hindley said. "We are excited to renew our MOU with Alberta and focus on our shared goals to better serve residents. We're committed to providing residents in the area with the best health care, while addressing future needs together."
"Lloydminster is unique in Canada as a single municipality located in two provinces. Area residents expect and deserve access to high-quality health care services regardless of provincial borders," Minister Shandro said. "Our renewed MOU furthers the long-standing relationship we have with our Saskatchewan partners to strengthen the provision of health care services to the citizens in our jurisdictions."
As a key component of the previous MOU, Alberta and Saskatchewan worked with the Bi-Provincial Health Services Committee to address issues of concern to the community. This resulted in improved sharing of health information, dual physician licensing and emergency medical services (EMS) improvements and standardization. The Committee, which includes senior health ministry, health authority and community representatives continues to meet regularly. The previous MOU expired in July 2019.
"Enhanced collaboration between our provincial leaders is an important step in establishing more robust, dynamic health-care options for the people of the Lloydminster region," Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers said. "Our rare bi-provincial status often requires forward thinking from government leaders in developing 'made-for-Lloydminster' solutions. On behalf of our growing community, I thank both Minister Shandro and Minister Hindley for their attention to this important issue."
"The continuing partnership between Saskatchewan and Alberta will provide the best possible health care services for the residents of Lloydminster and the surrounding area," MLA for Lloydminster Colleen Young said. "I look forward to the increased efforts both governments will make through this renewed agreement to increase and improve health services."
"The renewed MOU will advance our ongoing collaboration with Saskatchewan to deliver optimal health care services to the residents in my constituency," Garth Roswell, MLA, Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, Alberta said. "This also paves the way for new initiatives that will support an integrated approach to health services delivery."
In the renewed MOU, Alberta and Saskatchewan have agreed to collaborate in the planning and funding of health services delivered within a 150-kilometre radius of the City of Lloydminster.
The Committee will continue its collaborative work to strengthen health services in the region, including advancing infrastructure funding, mental health investments, health information sharing and dialysis expansion and relocation.
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For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone:(306) 787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca
Steve Buick
Press Secretary
Alberta Health
Phone: 780-288-1735
Email: steve.buick@gov.ab.ca