The South Central Health District (SCHD) was asked if they would volunteer to participate in a special audit from the provincial government earlier this year. The draft report gave the board an A, CEO Lee Spencer reported to board members at their regular meeting on Thursday.

The SCHD was one of five districts in Saskatchewan chosen for the audit.

The board was told that Weyburn General Hospital has no shortage of beds. The average number of beds that are used in the hospital on a daily basis are 22.3 beds and there are 30 beds left open.

Earlier in the month, Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Brenda Bakken raised a concern that the health district was creating a shortage by continuing the summer closure of 18 beds along with the amalgamation of the second and third floors at the hospital.

"We have not had any problems placing a patient in a bed," said Dr. Benloulou, district chief of medical staff.

The hospital still uses the closed beds for day patients and are currently looking for more nursing staff. The board is currently looking for more nurses and staff members; they have already hired two from the United States and an ICU member from the Philippines.

There have not been any layoffs in the South Central district for years and there is a full complement of operating staff, says Spencer.

"The nursing shortage is global," added Marga Cugnet, vice-president of patient services for the health district.

"We have called people and advertised conventionally and technologically by putting job postings on the Internet," Spencer said.

Board vice-chair Steve Foley handed in his resignation to the board as he will be moving on to work for CUPE in Regina.

The Eden 2002 Transition team has formed a new communications subcommittee and was looking for a board member to join. The Eden 2002 project is the name for the new long-term care facility to be built on the Souris Valley grounds.

"We're bringing in $17.5 million in construction, business and employment opportunities to the community," Spencer said.

The living conditions in Souris Valley are not considered to be satisfactory for the population that is living there now. Along with a new facility, the Eden 2002 Transition team is working on a new concept of long-term care trying to give the seniors as much freedom as possible.

The team is looking into the experience and qualifications of the current staff at Souris Valley, and would like to move them into the new facility. They would also like to work with the unions in order to get the job requirements worked out for the new style of care.

"The staff here have done an excellent job," Spencer said.

Membership in the Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) was questioned. SAHO gives a united voice to the health districts, hires new staff, does payroll and is responsible for occupational health and safety. The question was whether or not SAHO represented the SCHD or not.

Members of the board said they have seen more aggressive and smooth leadership from SAHO and for larger issues it is beneficial to remain a member, particularly for issues like contract negotiations. The board indicated they do not want to lose individuality as a SAHO member.

The number of members for the SCHD Foundation's board of directors are dwindling, the health board was told. The foundation will be losing four members at the end of this year. Members can only remain on the foundation for two years and then have to step down.