Patients across southern Saskatchewan - including in Yorkton - will benefit from a new facility in Regina that will provide a full range of outpatient services including surgery, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, rehabilitation, outpatient cancer care and other related services that do not require an overnight stay.
Premier Brad Wall has announced approval in principle for the Plains Surgery and Outpatient Care Centre, an ambulatory care facility that will be designed and built in partnership with the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The centre will put patients first in its design, care delivery and location.
"This facility will enable a level of co-operation and co-ordination in outpatient health care services that has never been seen before in Saskatchewan," Wall says. "Patients will appreciate having related health services in one location. For example, a cancer patient may be able to receive a CT scan next door to where they receive chemotherapy treatment. Patients will be able to spend less time and energy waiting for appointments or navigating a hospital and more time looking after their health."
The innovative approach to the project stems from the recommendations of the 2009 Patient First Review, and will support Saskatchewan's focus on improving access to surgery, and the health care system's recently announced strategy to improve primary health care through a team approach to health services. The project scope and cost projections are being determined.
The Plains Surgery and Outpatient Care Centre is to be located on Crown-owned land opposite the SIAST campus, south of Wascana Parkway. The Hospitals of Regina Foundation has committed to raising funds in support of the centre.
"Our mission is enhancing health care through donor support," Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Judy Davis adds. "An outpatient care facility will be transformational and will have such a positive impact on how health care services are delivered. This is a project we know our donors will want to be a part of. We are excited for the opportunity to work with the partners on this project."
The centre will enable the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region to consolidate services and reduce the future need for large capital investments in its facilities. It will be designed and constructed using Lean principles, which will reduce operating costs and improve delivery of services for patients.
"This is an exciting opportunity to transform the way the people of southern Saskatchewan access health services in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region," Health Region CEO Dwight Nelson says. "Sustainable surgical capacity will be key to helping us maintain our target of providing surgeries within three months of a referral. We will engage patients, staff and physicians in the planning and design of the centre."
"Cancer care is about partnerships," Cancer Agency CEO Scott Livingstone comments. "Creating an integrated centre will bring together services and experts that will offer better care and better health for patients and families in southern Saskatchewan. This is a true patient first response that we are proud to be part of."
