The board of directors of Sun Country Regional Health Authority (SCRHA) has approved a balanced annual operating budget of $107.5 million for the 2007-08 fiscal year. This is a six per cent, or $6.2 million, increase over the previous year's operating budget.

The $6.2 million in new funding will be directed toward the new Renal Dialysis program located in St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan, outreach services for youth detoxification, an expanded recruitment campaign, and for contract-related salary increases.

"Our budget reflects SCRHA's commitment to providing services and programs in most communities at levels similar to those offered last year," said Earl Kickley, board chair. "A balanced budget is something we have been continuing for years."

"I am very pleased to present a balanced budget," said Cal Tant, CEO of Sun Country. A couple of significant differences that contributed to the surplus was funding for labour contracts of $3 million, and a number of vacancies in the health region.

"We are working hard at filling those vacancies in our health region," said Tant. Recruitment for the Sun Country Health Region has been going well, with over 158 contacts since May 1, over 20 of whom have applied in the last week. "We have had half a dozen viable candidates for nursing positions," said Tant.

"There will be a lot of money (of this year's budget) placed into recruitment and retention initiatives," said Kickley.

The operating budget allows SCRHA to continue to meet the health needs of the 54,000 residents living in the region. About 25 per cent of the budget will go toward services provided in hospitals, another 45 per cent is spent on long term and continuing care services, 25 per cent for home care, public health, EMS and other community based services, and five per cent on program support.

SCRHA directs approximately 83 per cent of its operating budget toward salaries, benefits and medical remuneration for its 2,300 employees and 42 medical staff.

Sun Country Health Region was recently recognized by Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO) and Saskatchewan Health for their initiative to set up a retention program, by recognizing staff for their years of service.

"We are always trying to recognize staff," said Tant. "Every facility recognizes their employees on site for 5, 10 and 15 years, and the Sun Country board held a honourary supper on June 1 for their staff who accumulated 20, 25, 20, 35 and 40 years."

One of the key focuses for the 2007/2008 year will be a facilities assessment, organized by Saskatchewan Health, of the buildings in the Sun Country Health Region.

"We will be reviewing the conditions of all our facilities, to know the state of the buildings and ensure that they are viable for the future." Tant also commented that it is hoped that some government funding can come out of this assessment as there are five facilities in the region that the board would like to be replaced or renovated.