The public is being invited by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to tour the new Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford in late October and early November.
The tours will be conducted Oct. 22 to 26 and Oct. 29 to Nov. 2
Advance sign-up for the tours is required by calling 306-440-4100 or emailing newshnbtours@saskhealthauthority.ca.
The public will have the opportunity to tour inside the new 284-bed provincial psychiatric facility prior to patients and staff taking up residence in mid-November.
According to a SHA press release, each indoor walking tour will feature highlights of the new hospital including patient accommodations, specialized therapy areas, education and business centres, cafeteria and courtyard areas, the gymnasium and multi-use space, health care clinic and more.
Tour start times are Mondays through Fridays during the two weeks. Tours begin at 15-minute intervals. Each tour will be maximum one hour in duration. Tour run from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (last tour ends at 11:30 a.m.), 1:30 to 3 p.m. (last tour ends at 4 p.m.) and 6 to 7:30 p.m. (last tour ends at 8:30 p.m).
“We are excited to showcase to the public this innovative multi-partnership project between the Saskatchewan Health Authority, SaskBuilds, the Ministries of Health, Corrections and Policing and Central Services and Access Prairies Partnership,” said said Derek Miller, executive director of Infrastructure Management with the Saskatchewan Health and health system lead for the project over the past three years of construction.
“The facility’s design incorporates input from all of the partners, including the patients and staff of Saskatchewan Hospital.”
The new Saskatchewan Hospital replaces the current 156-bed facility, with a total of 188-beds – an increase of 32. A further 96-bed secure wing will provide mental health services for male and female offenders with serious mental health issues.
The existing Saskatchewan Hospital has served mental health patients for the past 105 years. Its replacement is part of government’s commitment to improve mental health services for Saskatchewan people, a press release states.
Saskatchewan people have invested $407 million in this publicly-owned and operated facility. The total cost includes design, construction, finance, rehabilitation and more than 30 years of maintenance.
