The Sunrise Health Region (SHR) recently received some good news and it means improvements are on the way.
As a part of the provincial government's Surgical Initiative, the SHR is receiving $1.05 million. The funding is part of $40.4 million in additional provincial Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative funding announced by Health Minister Don McMorris on February 14, which will enable health regions to complete more than 5,700 additional surgeries in 2011-12, an increase of almost eight percent.
"We are very appreciative that funding has been made available to our region," comments Suann Laurent, CEO (interim) for the Sunrise Health Region. "It is our intention to continue to make significant progress on shorter wait times for surgical care and optimize the surgical experience for our patients and their families."
The funding will provide for enhanced post-operative and outpatient rehabilitation support and costs related to expanding surgical services. The health region is currently evaluating the opportunity of expanding surgical services to include minor orthopedic and vascular procedures through partnerships with visiting surgeons. The funds will also provide an increase in home care services to support additional needs across the continuum; the purchase of needed equipment and development of clinical care pathways will also be made possible.
"Sooner, safer, smarter care is a priority for our government, as we work towards shorter wait times and a better surgical experience for patients," adds Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit, on behalf of Health Minister Don McMorris. "We appreciate the strong support of Sunrise Health Region as we work together to put our patients first."
The funds will help improve the surgical patient experience and speed up access to surgery. Laurent says the SHR expected to meet the target of having no patients waiting more than 18 months for surgery by March 31, 2011. The province's goal by the end of 2011-12 is to reduce all surgical wait times to less than 12 months with a long-term goal of having all surgeries taking place within three months by March 31, 2014.
The Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative was launched in March, 2010 with the goals of transforming the surgical patient experience and to ensure that by 2014, no surgical patient in Saskatchewan waits longer than three months for surgery. More information is available at www.health.gov.sk.ca/saskatchewan-surgical-initiative.
