Northern Referrals Hurting Health Region’s Budget
Monday, March 16, 2009 at 12:42
The provincial government is providing the Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority with $5.2 million in additional funding for the current fiscal year to cover increased staffing costs.
The health region says the budget shortfall is due to increasingly heavy demand for health services in the past year.
Local population growth and a “mini baby boom” has increased demand for obstetrics, acute care services, and x-rays and other diagnostic procedures.
CEO Cecile Hunt says the health region services a very large area, noting it is a major referral centre for health care services for residents of northern Saskatchewan.
In addition to people living in the city, the health region encompasses 12 First Nations and 40 towns, villages and rural municipalities.