Number of Sask. health regions expected to be reduced
Transformational change is coming to Saskatchewan’s health regions with the number expected to be reduced as part of an announcement made in Wednesday’s budget.
Currently there are 12 health regions in Saskatchewan, 13 if you include Athabasca, a shared venture with the federal government.
It isn’t clear what the new figure will be, but both the premier and the health minister have spoken that it could be zero and the health ministry becomes a centralized service much like in Alberta. A special commissioner is being appointed to look into the issue and recommend options not only on how many health regions there should be but find ways to deliver health care in a more efficient and cost-effective way.
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region head Keith Dewar maintains this proposed change doesn’t have to be a bad thing.