(click here to hear the launch address from Shan Landry, Saskatoon Health Region)
SASKATOON, April 28, 2006 -- Today, Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) and the University of Saskatchewan's Department of Academic Family Medicine opened Saskatoon's newest primary health centre, the "University of Saskatchewan & Saskatoon Health Region West Winds Primary Health Centre", on Saskatoon's west side.
West Winds Primary Health Centre is a joint initiative between Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) and the College of Medicine's Department of Academic Family Medicine. Both organizations jointly occupy and operate the Centre.
The partners have created a fully integrated Primary Health Centre with a broad range of services including individual health screening, intervention, treatment and population health promotion in one convenient location. The Centre features a state-of-the-art training program for Family Medicine Residents and facilities for primary care research, thus contributing to an ongoing supply of family medicine practitioners for the province.
Health Minister Len Taylor said, "In 2001, our government made a commitment to improve and sustain our health care system. We recognized the importance of primary health care and made it an integral part of our plan. Since then, we have developed and implemented many successful primary health care teams in communities across this province. We congratulate the Saskatoon Health Region and the College of Medicine for successfully developing their unique partnership, marrying primary health care services with training and research."
"We are proud to be working in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan as this new interdisciplinary primary health care team works with individuals, families and communities to meet their specific health needs," says Maura Davies, President and CEO, Saskatoon Health Region. "We are also proud to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to help secure the provision of primary health services to Saskatchewan residents."
The Department of Academic Family Medicine relocated from Royal University Hospital to West Winds. Saskatoon Health Region has relocated complete health provider groups to the Centre including Public Health Services (West), Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, and Healthy and Home. A number of individual health professionals have also joined the West Winds team including Chronic Disease Management, Client/Patient Access Services, Clinical Health Psychology, Home Care, KidsFirst, Mental Health and Addictions; a Nurse Practitioner, a Pharmacy Educator, Public Health Dental Clinic, Social Work; and Therapies.
As identified by recent SHR and U of S studies, the west side of Saskatoon is one of the least well-serviced areas from a health needs perspective. "We hope that the West Winds Primary Health Centre will help reinforce the University's commitment to its communities, to socially accountable health care education and research, and to the improved health of residents living in west-side neighborhoods surrounding the new Centre. We are pleased to be partnering with Saskatoon Health Region service providers in this exciting new interdisciplinary venture," said University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon.
West Winds Primary Health Centre is located in the former Union Centre at 3311 Fairlight Drive.
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Tina Merrifield
University Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-22213
Kerilyn Voigt
Corporate and Public Affairs
Saskatoon Health Region
(306) 655-338
Saskatoon Health Region
"Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service."
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