Most health regions are close to the goal of offering surgeries within three months by April 2014. However, increased demand in Saskatoon and Regina Qu’Appelle health regions has slowed their progress. Saskatoon expects to meet the target by late 2014 and Regina Qu’Appelle by March 2015. So far this fiscal year (April 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014), Saskatoon Health Region has seen demand for about 1,100 more surgeries than it had projected.
As part of the 2014-15 budget, government announced that $60.5 million will be invested to achieve and sustain the three-month wait time target and continue to improve sooner, safer, smarter surgical care in the province.
Information about the Surgical Initiative is available at
www.sasksurgery.ca. The website also features the Specialist Directory, which empowers patients and their primary care providers to compare options for surgical care.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: Tyler.McMurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-3594