Martensville Messenger January 12, 2017 | Page 3

CORReCtiON

Sask Government Announces Changes to Provincial Health System Shanine Sealey , Martensville Messenger

The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced that the province would be consolidating the twelve Regional Health Authorities within Saskatchewan into one single Provincial Health Authority . The finalization of the new project was released January 4 , 2017 , when Health Minister Jim Reiter accepted all of the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure .
Although there is no definite date set at this time , the new Provincial Health Authority is planned to occur in fall 2017 . The Government states that this change will reduce administration while improving co-ordination of health services . “ One Provincial Health Authority that is focused on better co-ordination of health services across the province will improve the quality of care patients receive ,” Reiter said . “ It will also reduce administration and duplication across the health system . Reiter continued to state that “ this change represents a consolidation of administration , not a centralization of services .” Reiter then added that the government ’ s main goal is better co-ordinations between the health services provided throughout the province .
Additional changes include the appointment of a single Board of Directors to govern the new Provincial Health Authority .
Although there may be some wrinkles to iron out , those behind the decision are confident that these changes will overall improve patient care by creating a more efficient system . An example of this was provided in a report from the advisory panel that explains that patients with singular , immediate needs are often served well by the current health system ; however , patients suffering from multiple chronic or complex conditions don ’ t receive the same care . The report also recommends system-wide improvements that include consolidation of health system administrative support functions and some clinical services such as laboratory and diagnostic imaging , and the planning , dispatch and delivery of Emergency Medical Services ( EMS ). “ We recognize the changes we are recommending are significant ,” Advisory Panel member Dr . Dennis Kendel said . “ The Advisory Panel encourages the provincial government and senior leaders within the health system to take the time required to ensure a smooth transition .”
Although the government is hopeful that this change will be a positive one , there have been concerns expressed by unions representing health-care workers and from representatives for the 74 First Nations within the province .
The Canadian Union of Public Employees ( CUPE ) released a report stating that they are concerned about the impact that the health care ‘ Superboard ’ may have on workers , patients and quality of care . “ Health care restructuring will disrupt the established systems and relationships of providing health care in the province ,” said Gordon Campbell , president of CUPE Health Care Council . The report added that since Alberta merged their health regions into one , there have been many challenges , including that the structure is confusing to navigate for patients and the general public and that the staff do not know who they report to or who they can go to for assistance and support . “ Reorganization will cause significant disruption to the whole health system and distract from the main purpose of the health care system : providing quality care to patients and residents ,” said Campbell .
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations ( FSIN ) stated that it is time for Indigenous people to develop their own health system and are concerned that the consolidation of the health regions is driven by the desire to cut costs .

CORReCtiON

There was an information error located in the January 5th issue of the Martensville Messenger . The fifth sentence of paragraph one of the article titled ' Martensville Couple Seeks Food Truck Friendly City ' ( page 5 ) states that : ' The mobile food truck regulations in Saskatoon had been set in place back in the early 1970 ' s ...' -It was , in fact , Martensville ' s regulations that had been set in place in the 1970 ' s , not Saskatoon ' s . The Martensville Messenger apologizes for this error .

Trip a Month Raffle 12 CHANCES to WIN !

Plus … support innovative learning and change lives !
The Prairie Spirit Schools Foundation is holding its second annual Trip a Month raffle , with proceeds supporting innovative programming in Prairie Spirit schools .
Only 1000 tickets will be sold , with each $ 100 ticket in every draw for 12 trip vouchers ( value : $ 2500 each ). Option to allocate $ 30 from each ticket purchased to the school of your choice .
Contact the Foundation at psfoundation @ spiritsd . ca for more information or to buy a ticket . Tickets can also be purchased online : www . prairiespiritschoolsfoundation . ca Draw date : Thursday , January 26 , 2017

MARTENSVILLE PHARMACY

17 Centennial Drive North 306-931-2868 mARteNsville messeNgeR - JANUARY 12 , 2017 - Page 3

Monday-Friday 9-8 Saturday 10-5 Sunday 12-5
Closed Holidays

Martensville Plumbing & Heating Awarded Through Warman Chamber of Commerce Shanine Sealey , Martensville Messenger

The Warman Chamber of Commerce ( WCOC ) recently awarded Martensville Plumbing and Heating with their ‘ Service with a Smile ’ award . According to the WCOC , the purpose of this campaign is to recognize businesses that go above and beyond , providing what customers see as extraordinary service in an everyday situation . “ We sincerely appreciate our customers taking the time to nominate us for the Service with a Smile award ,” Tracey Fesiuk of Martensville Plumbing & Heating stated .
The campaign is available to Chamber members , who are encouraged to display the Service with a Smile poster within their business , to encourage customers to nominate . Posters and nomination forms are available by visiting www . warmanchamber . com .
ABOVE : Martensville Plumbing & Heating received the Service with a Smile award through the Warman Chamber of Commerce . Front Row L to R : Tracey Fesiuk , Justine Pirker , Ron Legal . Back Row - Matthew Neufeldt , Erik Pirker , Kyle Quiring .
Lottery license number : RR16-0272 Registered Canadian charitable foundation : 81224 2170 RR0001