The Prince Albert/Parkland Health Region is facing a $1.6 million deficit.
Spokesman Doug Dahl says the red ink came about as a result of increased electricity costs in the winter months, sick-time, wage-benefits and other operating costs.
He explains the region also had times where there are more patients than they can accommodate so additional staff have been brought in at over-time rates.
He says the region actually had a surplus at the end of December but all the extra costs changed this drastically.
“As of the end of December, we had a $1.2 million surplus but because of timing of certain cyclical expenses, it is leading us to believe we will end up in deficit position at the end of March.”
He adds the region was well aware the extra costs could lead them into deficit.
Dahl says they will try to pare back costs where they can but there’s not a lot the region will be able to change between now and the end of the fiscal year.
He adds the total operating budget for the region is $208 million.