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The Future in Mind campaign
was announced to the public this
month with a legacy gift from Les
and Irene Dubé of $3 million –
 the largest single gift ever made
to a Saskatchewan hospital. The
contribution takes the campaign
to within 60 percent of the goal
of raising $7.5 million.
“I can’t imagine a better way to
begin a project of this scope,”
said Ian Buckwold, Campaign
Co-chair. “Les and Irene’s philanthropy sends a message to the
community that mental illness and addictions are health conditions that deserve our very best efforts.”
The total cost of the building is $20 million. The provincial government has committed $13 million to the capital costs, leaving
the balance to be raised by the RUH Foundation, in partnership
with Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
October 3, 2007 - Saskatoon - The Future in Mind Campaign received the largest single donation ever given to a hospital in Saskatchewan.
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“The new facility will consolidate beds from both of our hospitals
so we thought it made good sense for our Foundations to create a partnership that would ensure the success of the campaign,” said SCH Foundation Board Chair Dr. Mark Sheridan.
The Irene and Leslie Dubé Centre for Mental Health will allow
for a client-centered environment, as well as better coordination of mental health services and training of mental
health professionals. A new, state-of-the-art facility will also
improve recruitment and retention efforts.
Mentally ill patients are currently treated at the Hantelman Unit
at RUH where there are 32 adult beds, including up to six beds
for children and adolescents, and at Saskatoon City Hospital
where there are 18 beds. The new centre will see these numbers increase to 64 from the current 50 beds; 10 of the new
beds are designated for children and adolescents.
The new building, overlooking the South Saskatchewan River,
will provide young patients with a separate and secure unit from
adult patients.
“We are grateful to the province for taking the initiative on this
much-needed facility,” said Zeba Ahmad, Chair of the RUH
Foundation. “Patients, families and staff have been waiting
many years to move out of an inadequate hospital unit and into
a space designed to meet the specific needs of those who suffer from mental illness and addictions.”
To access Mental Health Services in the Saskatoon Health Region, visit the SHR website and scroll down the page for a directory of services offered.
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