The same week we brought you the story of City Council requesting action from the provincial government on the upgrade to the Union Hospital, Minister Len Taylor assures us the project is a priority.

 

The provincial government is aware of the situation and committed to the project.

That from Health Minister Len Taylor after learning the City of Moose Jaw is sending a letter to his office requesting action on the Union Hospital upgrade announced several years ago.

"I think that Saskatchewan Health and the provincial government will be able to respond favourably at some point in the near future, that is in the next year or two, to the Moose Jaw project."

When asked what was taking so long for the project to move forward, Minister Taylor said there are several older facilities in the province that need to be upgraded and there's just not enough cash to do them all at the same time.

Mayor Dale McBain introduced the motion on Monday to make it clear that the city is ready for the project and its time for the province to make their commitment clear. "I think that its a little frustrating that there's no movement. Recognizing that there are a number of communities out there that want hospital services, but we believe that our community is in need. As Councillor Swanson indicated some of these operating rooms date back to the 1950's so we believe that its time that this update was done."