The South Central Health District (SCHD) is desperately in need of two new medical imaging units at the Weyburn General Hospital, with a projected combined cost of $500,000, said Marga Cugnet, vice-president of patient services for the health district.

Cugnet reported to the health district board on Thursday proposals are going out to various companies and different units are being priced out, and said a proposal detailing the costs and availability of replacement units should be ready by January or February.

Cugnet said the two current medical imaging units, which are used for X-rays, fluoroscopy, and tomography, are badly out of date and becoming increasingly worn out.

"It's got deficiencies in that we're unable to find parts," she said.

The SCHD will launch several initiatives in the new year allowing community members to help contribute to the Eden facility, the new long-term care centre which will replace Souris Valley.

Lloyd Searcy, vice-president of operations, said the first initiative is aimed at providing 135 beds for the long-term facility. The district will encourage families and individuals to make donations of $2,000 and, in return, a plaque signifying the sponsor will be attached to the bed.

"It's a way to make a small personal donation to the person sleeping on the bed," he said, adding sponsors may even be donating a bed to a fellow family member or friend housed in the facility.

Searcy also said the district will aim at purchasing beds for under $2,000 each.

The first contribution to a bed was made shortly after Searcy's announcement at the meeting, given by Lee Spencer, CEO of the SCHD. "I realize that's my new Harley down the drain," Spencer said jokingly.

Also, Searcy said sponsorship of the facility's 12 "houses," or buildings used for individual patients, may be sponsored by community organizations and businesses for two donations of $25,000.

In return, the sponsor will be able to place a coat of arms, insignia, or any other form of brand to the house signifying the donation. Searcy said the idea of house-sponsorship was inspired by a similar program in Saskatoon.

Searcy said the initiatives are aimed at actively involving community members in the construction of the new Eden facility.

The "Name the Facility" contest will also be launched in the new year, in the week of Jan. 12. Contestants will be challenged to submit names for the new facility throughout the rest of the month, and the best proposed name will be selected by an undetermined panel of judges and then tagged onto the project.

The winner will then be announced in February and awarded a $500 prize.

Officials are aiming to give 80 per cent of staff in the long-term care facilities flu shots before the full onset of the flu season.

Janice Giroux, vice-president of Community Health Services, reported at the meeting most long-term patients have been already vaccinated, and the staff are now being given flu shots. "Our results look promising," she said.

Giroux said vaccinating staff is merely a matter of precaution, as the staff work within a high-risk environment and have an increased chance of spreading flu in their homes.

She added general members of the public are always welcome to receive flu shots, which cost $10 for those not within a high-risk category.