By Teena Monteleone

Four programs within P.A. health region affected by budget

Mar 22, 2017 | 5:15 PM

The Prince Albert Parkland Health region did not see significant cuts to provincial budget funding, but it didn’t see any increases either. CEO Cecile Hunt says the region has a $218.5 million dollar base to work with.

“We are understandably concerned about the need to assess how we will meet the targets that have been set from a financial perspective within the context of the population we serve and the programs we deliver,” Hunt said.

This year’s provincial budget plans to invest $5.6 billion in health care, up $39 million or 0.7 per cent from last year. It includes a new $12 million investment to address overcapacity pressures and emergency department wait times in Regina and Saskatoon, as well as $24.4 million to address services pressures and operating costs. Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital was left out.

“We are concerned about the continuing overcapacity at Victoria Hospital,” Hunt said. “We are looking for ways to improve patient flow. We have previously received funding for additional emergency room physicians which has been supportive. While we would have like to have received additional resources to improve flow, we know that’s not possible this year. But it doesn’t mean we don’t work with our partners in Saskatoon and Regina to look at their successes and look for every opportunity to improve flow.”

The government is phasing out or reducing some services that were provided by health regions and are available from the private system: the hearing aid plan, podiatry services, orthotics and equipment to help with sleep apnea. Coverage will continue to be provided by government for low-income residents for these services. However, chiropractic services will no longer be covered for anyone.

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“We recognize the elimination of this funding is going to affect our staff and patients but we are part of a provincial system and our funding comes from the government of Saskatchewan and we must all participate in meeting the goals of this province,” Hunt said.

She added four programs within the PAPHR were affected: parent mentoring, pastoral care, podiatry and the travel health clinic.

One position was eliminated from the pastoral program, one position will be eliminated from parent mentoring and .4 of a full time equivalent position will be affected within the travel health clinic. Other affected programs were delivered by contractors.

There was no funding specifically addressing the future of the Victoria Hospital, but Hunt said the health region hopes the province will give them permission to continue planning for a new building.

–EDITORS NOTE: This story was changed on March 23rd at 10:55 a.m. to add information that further explained eliminated positions within the PAPHR.

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TeenaMonteleone