A plan is in place and now it's up to the provincial government as to whether or not it will move forward.
On Wednesday, representatives from the Sunrise Health Region, along with the mayor and associates from Cannon Design, unveiled a tentative conceptual plan for a new Yorkton Regional Health Centre and the next step, is to take the plan to Regina for approval.
The project began several years back following a review of the system. Built in 1959, the current hospital is in need of major renovations and updates that in the end will prove to be almost as costly as constructing a new facility said those on hand for the presentation.
Fund raising, conducted by The Health Foundation in the amount of $212,000, has helped to pay for the development of a conceptual plan - created by Cannon Design - and now the Sunrise and the city are looking to move the plan forward.
It's a vision not just for today, says Mayor James Wilson, but one that will last for decades to come and one that is greatly needed in the community if we're to sustain the growth that's taking place in Yorkton and in the region.
The conceptual plan is the first step in a lengthy process that could take up to four or five years to see completion.
Over the past 22 weeks Cannon Design has been reviewing the current situation and setting in place a vision that will suit the city when it comes to health care far into the future.
"There is no question that the Sunrise Health Region is going to need significant investment over the next several years," said Mark Vaughan, Vice President of Cannon Design before those in attendance Wednesday evening. "And that's due to a number things - part is population growth, also we're seeing increased immigration coming into the province... It's not surprising the population is aging as well and that aging population is going to require more services with a higher utilization of the services.
In fact, the Sunrise Health region has the oldest population in Saskatchewan. It also rates highest in the province when it comes to levels of diabetes and obesity.
Economic growth is another factor which is driving change in the health care industry in the Sunrise says Vaughan. Growth in the mining and food industries in this area will mean greater demand on the health system.
"The Yorkton Health Centre is what we consider to be functionally obsolete. What does that mean? It means that it's really not providing the level of care to the patients and to the community for the purpose to which it was originally intended."
The recommendation as a result, is a brand new regional facility in a new location within the City of Yorkton, making use of the current building until a new one can be constructed and become fully operational.
Patients were put first as the plan unfolded adds Vaughan. "It was about making them the centre of the system.
"We want to make sure that whatever we're designing, at the end of the day is going to provide the best care for the constituents within the community."
The new proposed facility will offer more space, more beds and a more efficient work flow space, allowing for better care.
What will a new facility look like? While plans will change and adapt, the Cannon design allows for 124 beds - up from the current 105 and a spacious floor plan that will allow for better patient flow. Clinic space and areas left open for future development and regional services are also incorporated into the design.
A new health centre won't come cheap. The Sunrise is looking at a price tag of up somewhere between $276 and $293 million. That said, the cost will be shared with the provincial government which is expected will pay 80 per cent.
It's hoped, with a new, up-to-date operation in place, more doctors will be attracted to live and work in the Yorkton area.
When, and if, the new conceptual plan is approved by the province, residents can expect to wait at least four years before a new facility can be completed. No definite plan is in place to date as to what will become of the existing hospital.
If you'd like to learn more visit the Sunrise Health Region website at: www.sunrise healthregion.sk.ca.
