A new integrated healthcare facility will deliver services in one location in the community of Leader, Saskatchewan, improving patient access and quality of care to residents. The $12 million project will renovate and expand the existing Western Senior Citizens Home long-term care facility to include acute care, community health services, primary healthcare and ambulance services.

“This innovative approach to deliver healthcare services under one roof will provide better and timelier care to the people of Leader and surrounding area,” Health Minister Dustin Duncan said. “The new facility will address the aging infrastructure needs in the community and support recruitment and retention efforts of physicians and nurse practitioners to the area.”

The provincial government is contributing $9.6 million toward the project, which represents 80 per cent of total project costs. Local funding will cover the remaining 20 per cent.

Currently, health services in Leader are delivered out of four separate buildings. The expansion of the Western Senior Citizens Home will replace three existing facilities, including the Community Health Services Clinic and Primary Care Clinic, the Leader Hospital and the Emergency Medical Services building.

Tim Geiger serves as the Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Happyland and has been involved in the local advocacy efforts for the proposed integration of health services in one location.

“On behalf of the municipal councils in and around the community of Leader, we are very excited with today’s announcement that the proposed capital project will become a reality,” Geiger said. “Our councils and residents have realized the health benefits and enhanced access to programs that will result from this integration, and we look forward to the next steps in the process. This is a tremendous boost for our community and surrounding areas.”

Construction on the addition to the Western Senior Citizens Home will begin in spring 2015 with the new facility expected to open in 2017.