NORTH BATTLEFORD, Sask. – The provincial government announced an addition to the replacement for Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford (SHNB) on Tuesday.
SHNB is over a century old and does not meet modern standards. The Government of Saskatchewan announced the replacement of its only provincial psychiatric rehabilitation hospital in 2011.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan says the new hospital will have 188 beds and enable patients with mental health issues to get better care in a modern facility.
The adjoining correctional facility will house 96 cells for inmates.
Programming and treatment for offenders will be separate.
“The new integrated facility will be built with a vision to provide important support for offenders living with mental health issues,” said Christine Tell, Saskatchewan corrections and policing minister.
A public-private partnership (P3) model will be used for the project. The government will retain ownership of the building.
“Building this new project through a public-private partnership will allow us to harness the best of private sector ingenuity and innovation, while also maximizing operational efficiencies,” said Don McMorris, Saskatchewan minister responsible for SaskBuilds.
The price tag will be determined through a P3 bidding process.
Construction on SHNB grounds is expected to begin next summer and be finished in 2018.
Comments