It’s a historic day in Saskatchewan, as the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital holds their grand opening Thursday in Saskatoon.
The 176 bed facility is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, and completes a decade-long campaign to get the hospital built, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in donations and provincial funding.
During his remarks at the opening, Premier Scott Moe said there was a time where Saskatchewan was one of two provinces without a children’s hospital.
“I can tell you it didn’t sit so well with many of us across this province, and if we think back each of us has been personally moved by stories of families who had to seek medical treatment for their children in other provinces,” Moe said. “This was an enormous burden for these families, emotionally, physically and financially.”
Moe said over 60 pediatricians, surgeons and sub-specialists are locatd in Saskatoon and will work in the hospital.
“These physicians come from around the world and they will provide the highest level of medical care possible to the children; the children of Saskatchewan,” Moe said. “Collectively, they will have an immeasurable impact that extends far beyond the walls of this hospital.”
Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone says while the hospital is based in Saskatoon, it will aim to serve the entire province.
“The vision is to see us reach out through this facility across the province to ensure that Moms and babies receive the actual best care they can possibly receive,” Livingstone said. “In fact, already we are seeing new outpatient clinics in Regina coming out from Saskatoon, where we’re already seeing an expansion of services, and this will continue to grow as our facility grows and matures.”
The hospital will start taking patients in on September 29th.
