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Province gives $450,000 for hospital planning



Carter Haydu
Published on March 18th, 2009
Published on July 10th, 2009
Carter Haydu RSS Feed
Times-Herald
Topics :
Moose Jaw Union Hospital , Times-Herald , Saskatchewan Party , Moose Jaw , South-central Saskatchewan

Moose Jaw -

On Tuesday, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health announced it is providing the Five Hills Health Region with $450,000 for more detailed capital planning at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital.
"The study is very important and I'm very pleased we've been able to take this step," Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson told the Times-Herald. "It's something we've been looking for and it's a step that has been taken."
The local Saskatchewan Party MLA said the ministry and health region were in discussions regarding planning for the renovation and expansion of the local hospital. However, without funding towards the planning process, it couldn't advance anything further.
He added the funding will help assess the requirements and needs in Moose Jaw.
"Prior to the last election, Moose Jaw residents told me improvements to the Union Hospital were a priority. (Tuesday's) announcement shows those improvements are also a priority for our government."
The provincial budget will be announced today. Michelson said the government announced capital planning funding on Tuesday, because that funding is still part of the 2008-09 budget.
He expects the funding will be put to work immediately.
According to a government press release, the region and the Ministry of Health have agreed to evaluate a number of design options and related cost estimates for the hospital. This analysis aims to provide information that will help the authority and the ministry to determine the viability of each option.
The next stage of planning will provide a more detailed rationale for each option. The process will also include research and assessment of best practices in acute facility design from around the world.
The Five Hills Health Region employs 1,700 employees and provides services and programs to more than 55,000 people in the city of Moose Jaw and surrounding communities in south-central Saskatchewan.
Moose Jaw Wakamow NDP MLA Deb Higgins said she is glad to see the Saskatchewan Party government is moving forward with capital planning funding for the the Moose Jaw Union Hospital renovation and expansion.
However, she was hoping to see more of a provincial commitment towards the capital costs for the project, rather than just funding for the planning stage.
"I thought that was a year ago," she told the Times-Herald regarding the fact it seems to her the project isn't moving forward as quickly as it should.
Even if Tuesday's announcement was technically part of the 2008-09 budget, she has doubts the government will announce more Union Hospital renovation and expansion funding during today's 2009-10 provincial budget release.


Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.

Comments

  • Username
    Injured
    - September 18th, 2009 at 18:07:46

    $50 million announcement would been better. After all the hospital is older than the civic center and it is getting replaced. How much more bubble gum and paper mache can we have volunteers use to hold this thing together?

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    J
    - September 18th, 2009 at 18:04:54

    HAHAHA there's your priorites for you HAHAHA

    atta boy cliff, hope you don't fall down skating

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    June
    - September 18th, 2009 at 18:02:22

    'People do not move to places with no multiplexes and proper sports facilities.'...that's a lame statement if ever I heard one. There is life after sports.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Kelly
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:54:07

    Multiplex and Hospital grants/dollars are two completely different gov't fund sources. One does NOT compete with the other. Why why why can people NOT understand this? Simple. They choose NOT to.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Paul
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:51:32

    The hospital fiasco is a lot like watching a movie projector. With a movie, you are presented with the same image repeatedly replaced with the same image only changed very slightly to trick the eye into believing that they are seeing movement. But it is only an illusion of movement.

    In Moose Jaws case, we have the same message being repeated over and over about the hospital, just altered slightly to create the illusion of progress.
    As an example:

    The Moose Jaw Union Hospital is a top priority. SaskParty election pamphlet

    If the Saskatchewan Party is elected this will be a high priority for us to see where funds can be redirected to renovate the Moose Jaw hospital. Brad Wall during his campaign stop in Moose Jaw

    If elected, Michelson's first priority would be to repair the health care system in the province, starting with Moose Jaw Union Hospital. Campaign interview

    The increased money for capital expenditures will help advance plans for an expansion of the Moose Jaw Union Hospital and the planning of construction of a Maternal Child Hospital at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. SaskPartys First Budget

    Michelson added he did not know exactly how much money would be allocated for planning or when it would begin. April 1

    Finance minister Rod Gantefoer told guests at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday the provincial government is behind expansions or upgrades to Moose Jaw Union Hospital 100 per cent and will ensure its funding through moneys for health care capital projects. Weve made a commitment to the project and funding will be there when the project requires it, he said at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa . As funding is required on an annual basis, it will be made available. April 3

    Since the project is only in the planning stages, Gantefoer said not a lot of money will be allocated to it this year, but he expects there to be much more funding in years to come. Money in the 2008-09 budget will help the hospital continue along in the planning process and hopefully give the government an idea of design and possible cost.
    HOWEVER LONG the process is, well continue to move that actively forward, said Gantefoer, adding he didnt know exactly how much money the hospital would receive this year or when it would be available. In most cases, we had a series of competing good ideas to choose from, he said. We had to recognize were not able to honour all of our commitments at this time. April 4

    Michelson said hes proud to have raised government awareness of the aging Moose Jaw Union Hospital, which is now going through an 18-step research and planning process towards renovation. May 16

    Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson said he took the opportunity to ensure the premier realizes this citys urgent need for Union Hospital improvements and expansion during the recent Saskatchewan Party retreat at Prince Albert National Park. However, Michelson said residents shouldnt expect any quicker results on the hospital improvements following the retreat, as the planning process is already moving along as quickly as possible. The whole process is a lengthy process, he said. Aug 8


    When reading these, what I find interesting is that technically speaking, they havent promised when they will renovate the hospital. Technically, they havent even promised that they will renovate it at all. That, by the way, is the argument that Harper and his conservative MPs used to wiggle out of their commitment to let Sask keep its resource revenues. They said that technically, they didnt say what everyone thought they said.

    The SaskParty has committed to a planning process. Well so what? Lets have a meeting about talking about doing something? Lets write a memo about talking about doing something? They talked about wanting to do something in the budget they presented but didnt allocate any money to renovating the hospital. ITS THE BUDGET!! Wouldnt that be exactly the place where you would mention how much you will spend on the hospital? The budget is a document where you say exactly how much you will spend and exactly what you will spend it on. Months of preparation go into making a provincial budget with thousands of government staff providing input so that every penny is accounted for the next years spending. It's not the place to be as vague as possible.

    Also interesting is that every time they talk about the project they are sure to specifically make sure they havent committed to anything definite. No definite action. No definite amount. No definite time. The funding will be there when it is required? But who dictates when it will be required? The planning process moves no quicker than the government wants it to. So the funding isnt required until the government says it is required. Its easy to say that you will provide the money when it is needed and then make sure that it never gets to the point when it is needed.

    What a snow job.

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  • Username
    Clifford
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:46:47

    We had a chance to vote and Moose Jaw citizens voted and pointed council in the right direction! Hockey Rink number 1. Regina Sagal_Hendry said it we have picked our priorities and Hockey is it. It is not a Hospital. Get over it! You and all the whiners had a chance and lost! See you at the hockey games!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Another dave
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:45:49

    Some of you just don't get it. Health is a provincial responsibility. The multiplex and the hospital are two separate issues. One has nothing to do with the other. Because you vote for one does not mean the other will fall. I don't see the problem in doing both. Let's just move on.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Clifford
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:39:05

    People you do not listen - you lost. Hockey is first. We need a multiplex to get doctors and proper medical people in this community. No multiplex - no hospital. People do not move to places with no multiplexes and proper sports facility!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Dusty
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:25:13

    It's called a shell game, the stall is on, untill we, the electorate, figure out there is NO pea under the shells.

    It's a Sask party sleight of hand. Read between the lines people, it says....No hospital...Hellicopter pad Yes!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Clifford
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:25:04

    The multiplex is everyones responsibility. Everyone including the province and feds are adding money! We have set our priorities. Do you think it is weird the multiplex got money before the hospital. That is because it is priority # one. Like it or leave!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Dusty
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:11:32

    Step 4 of a 9 step process.....that means : we'll not have a new hospital before 2014.
    Sask party is dragging their's butts on this one. We were at this phase, 2 years ago before they took over.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Cindy
    - September 18th, 2009 at 17:09:38

    Oh wow, Brad Wall just gave us a promise ring!! This is the third one if I'm not mistaken. Of course, once a year he'll keep coming back to us with these news releases to keep stringing us along. Just a little nibble on the carrot:

    Soon baby

    Someday

    Almost ready

    Not quite yet

    Definitely close

    Just a little bit longer

    I'm just waiting for the right moment


    The question is, will that be enough to get us to 'put out' on election day?

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Mark
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:59:08

    I'm just wondering what they mean by 'more detailed.'

    Another copy of the same report, but this time in coloured ink?

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  • Username
    Ashley
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:53:20

    Finally.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Chuck
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:48:53

    Good things take time who cares what party has done what. This is a move in getting it started.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Edward
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:48:38

    Just throw them a couple of nickels to string them along...

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Phil
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:45:03

    I think some of you could win the lottery and you would still complain. What a sorry bunch. Nothing will ever please you guys. I feel bad for you living in your bitter world. Iknow lets somehow drag the multiplex into this. Oh I guess injured kind of already did

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    B
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:39:45

    Cliff, had a major health problem lately? If you do happen to have the big one, I wish you luck. Regina is a long way away in an emergent situation.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Stu
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:35:43

    A little bit of money for planning....whoopee!
    How about some money for the actual costs?
    Is this the 'Change' that the people of Saskatchewan wanted? I see no 'change' here.
    Maybe next year.

    Another how many layoffs in Sask...where? Potash? Our Saudi Arabia? More Layoffs?

    Fiscal stabilization fund...Brad Wall promised to keep 2 Billion dollars in that. What is the balance now?

    I think I hear the rumblings of a 'Kaboom' somewhere in this 'Boom'!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    phil
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:33:36

    It will be interesting to see what we can blame the multiplex on to day

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    geo
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:31:02

    Anyone for some cheese with there wine!!!!!!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Clifford
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:24:38

    I think the hospital can wait for awhile. I was at the civic centre and it is in much worse condition. We need a skating rink now and we voted for it. We did not vote for a hospital so suck it up people!

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    H
    - September 18th, 2009 at 16:18:34

    I do not understand some of you.
    Yes there was a vote for the multiplex, and yes it was a yes. But that doesnt mean it is a higher priority then the hospital.
    And it doesnt matter if its a provincial matter, it still has a higher priority.
    I am sure that if the city of Moose Jaw would have voted, which do we need first, a better hospital or a better hockey rink the majority would have voted hospital. Its a matter of prioritys people.
    If you have a heart attack and have to be transfered to Regina, that 40 min drive could mean the matter of Life or Death!
    Being a young mother with elderly parents, it concerns me that peoples prioritys are a hockey rink (which by the way the soccer bubble should come first because they dont even have a facility!)
    Being the young people they supposedly want to keep in moose jaw, I would love the rink, but I need the hospital to be as up to date and modern as possible.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    john
    - September 18th, 2009 at 15:57:11

    Clifford my You are definitely living in thedark ages

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    B
    - September 18th, 2009 at 15:56:56

    Paul E. Good job of saying what I was thinking. I agree totally. Cliff, get your head out of your &ss. Don't you know a con job when you see one.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Barry
    - September 18th, 2009 at 15:54:00

    I reiterate, the Ministry of Health is decided; Moose Jaw will not receive a refit to the Union Hospital because it does not comply with their policy to avoid having two fully equipped hospitals within forty-five minutes of each other. But being the skilled bureaucrats that they are, they cannot say such a thing publicly nor even to the politicians. The Ministry has the mandate with the power to invest health dollars in the most efficient way from their perspective and no amount of public or political pressure will change that. So Moose Jaw, if you want a fully up-graded hospital you had better begin a fund raising campaign with as much vigor as you mustered for the Multiplex because the Ministry of Health will never do what it will take to get it. For them it's all about pretending kiddies.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    Susan
    - September 18th, 2009 at 15:51:35

    To Paul E from SK: so true, so unfortunately true! Considering Union Hospital is a regional hospital it makes the lack of firm committment to change on the part of our dear politicians even more frightening.

    Submit a Comment

  • Username
    CMB
    - September 18th, 2009 at 15:45:55

    Me thinks Clifford speaks with tongue in cheek.

    Submit a Comment

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