The New Saskatchewan Health Authority was launched yesterday which means there is no longer a Sun Country Health Region.

"Today, marks an important milestone for health care in Saskatchewan," explained Scott Livingstone, CEO, Saskatchewan Health Authority, yesterday.

"Today the 12 health regional health authorities officially joined together to start our shared journey towards a re-definement of Saskatchewan health care in our province."

"As a single provincial health authority, the opportunity now exists to act as one system in a way that has never been possible."

Livingstone said that a lot of work has gone in to make sure that the transition was as smooth as possible. He also said this is the start of a two-year journey to transform the health care system in the province.

"Other than perhaps a phone greeting where someone answers the phone with the Saskatchewan health authority tag, it was intentional to ensure that day one of the operations from a patient and family perspective looked the same as day minus one," answered Livingstone when asked what differences patients will notice when going to a hospital on day one compared to the day before.

There have been Regional Health Authority job losses mainly in the top positions of the health regions as CEO's of health regions jobs became unnecessary.

Severance packages have been given to those regional CEOs.

Sun Country Health Region formed 15 years ago in 2002.

Livingstone and the provincial government message is that the aim of the one health authority is to improve patient care, making it easier for patients to find treatment. Cutting costs is also an added benefit.