Prairie North Health Region is expecting to perform 550 more day surgeries and 10 more inpatient surgeries in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, thanks to additional provincial government funding.
PNHR will receive $1.9 million to increase surgical capacity at both the Battlefords Union Hospital and Lloydminster Hospital.
"This additional funding will provide improved and timely access to quality surgical services for our patients and residents," said PNHR CEO David Fan.
The $1.9 million is earmarked for the renovation and expansion of the day surgery unit at BUH, additional equipment at both the BUH and Lloydminster Hospital, increased staffing and additional home care and rehabilitation services for patients.
The funding is part of the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative, a provincial program launched in 2010, which has provided $40.4 million in additional funding to health regions. The funding is anticipated to result in an additional 5,700 surgeries being performed province-wide.
PNHR performs approximately 5,100 surgeries annually, and with the funding, it is hoped that number will increase to 5,660.
The provincial government is aiming to reduce all surgical wait times to less than one year by March 2012, and to less than three months by March 2014.
"We're making it a priority to provide sooner, safer, smarter care that results in shorter wait times and a better surgical experience for patients," said Health Minister Don McMorris.
