Harper Government Announces Funding to Support New Family Medicine Positions and Training Opportunities in Saskatchewan

News Release
2011-36
February 23, 2011
For immediate release

Factsheet: Family Medicine Residency Initiative for Communities in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON - On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, today announced federal funding that will support up to six new family medicine residents to receive training and provide medical services in the Province of Saskatchewan.

"This partnership will bring more doctors to Saskatchewan," said MP Block. "This project will provide the necessary medical training for new family medicine residents and equip them with the skill set needed to practice in rural and remote areas throughout the province."

Working in collaboration with the Province of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine, federal funding for this project will support up to six residencies through a new three-year family medicine program with enhanced skills in either surgery or anaesthesia, designed specifically for physicians working in select areas.

Funding from today's announcement will help ensure the people of Saskatchewan have greater access to the right supply, mix and distribution of health care providers. It will also support the Government of Saskatchewan's efforts around health human resources planning which aims to create and maintain a stable, adequate health workforce in underserved communities.

The Government of Canada is providing up to $3.4 million in funding over six years through the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy which supports and facilitates innovation in health human resources to help bring about an adequate supply of health care providers while promoting optimal working conditions for Canada's health workforce.

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar, announces on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, federal funding that will support up to six new family medicine residents to receive training and provide medical services in Saskatchewan, Wednesday, February 23, 2011, in Saskatoon.

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Jenny Van Alstyne
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
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