University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region Partner in New Primary Health Centre on West-side

Posted December 22, 2003


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 22, 2003 2003-12-10-ME

University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Health Region
Partner in New Primary Health Centre on West-side

The University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and Saskatoon Health
Region (SHR) confirmed today that a new Primary Health Centre will be
established in the former Union Centre on Fairlight Drive. The centre will
enhance the training of family medicine residents and help to improve
accessibility to health services for residents of west-side neighbourhoods.

The University purchased, and will renovate, the building at a cost of $4.5
million. Saskatchewan Health is investing $500,000 to assist with the
relocation as well as providing ongoing operational funding.

Saskatoon Health Region will lease a portion of the building and jointly
operate the facility.

The Department of Family Medicine at the University's College of Medicine
has been looking to relocate to a community setting for some time, a move
which is crucial for ongoing accreditation of the program. Medical students
and Family Medicine residents will receive education within this integrated
primary health care setting when the centre opens in 2004. In the future,
other health science students will also visit the site.

Bill Albritton, Dean of the College of Medicine, said: "The new centre will
model a truly integrated partnership between the University of Saskatchewan
and Saskatoon Health Region. It will significantly enhance family physician
education, teaching and research and be a model site for interdisciplinary
primary care."

Keith Ogle, Acting Head of Family Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan
said: "The move will allow us to focus on educating our future family
physicians in the environment in which they will eventually practice.
Increasingly, primary care is provided in the community rather than in
hospitals."

"Our government's Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care calls for
expanding the number of primary care teams across the province and creating
other advances in front-line care. This partnership will result in improved
access to care to better meet the needs of the people of West Saskatoon and
is a great example of the new team approach driving innovation in primary
health care," said Minister of Health John Nilson."

The Primary Health Centre is a partnership in programming between the U of
S, College of Medicine and SHR and will result in a new fully integrated
service, teaching and research team. Other members of the primary health
care team will include a primary health nurse and could include public
health, home care, mental health and addictions workers.

"This new primary health centre is an excellent example of what can be
achieved when organizations work together with a common purpose and vision
to improve the health of the community," said Bob Bundon, Chair of the
Saskatoon Regional Health Authority.

"Saskatoon Health Region is excited about this newest primary health
initiative, and looks forward to working with the residents of the
surrounding neighbourhoods to determine the kinds of services they need,"
said Shan Landry, Vice-President of Primary Health. "Community partnerships
in developing the programming and use of the facility will be integral to
success."

As identified by recent U of S and SHR studies, the west side of Saskatoon
is one of the least well-serviced areas from a health needs perspective.
This centre will improve health service accessibility for residents of
west-side neighbourhoods.

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Keith Ogle
Physician and Acting Department Head
Family Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 655-6835, 655-6802

Judy Yungwirth
Director
Corporate Administration
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-8781

Joy Adams Bauer
Adviser
Corporate and Public Affairs
Saskatoon Health Region
Tel: (306) 655-8410