Dwight Nelson, the CEO of the Regina Qu'appelle Health Region, is retiring from his position at the end of the year.

It is a decision which comes just as the health district faces a need for another $21 million to catch up on its commitment to perform an additional 5000 surgeries this year.

Two weeks ago, the provincial government said no to providing that additional money.

But Nelson insists his retirement decision was made independent of the immediate challenge for the region.

"This year I hit 35 years in my career so those sorts of milestones are when you start thinking about retirement and we have been talking about it for a few months," said Nelson.

He says he had no pressure from anyone to step down.

He has been the top man for 11 years, overseeing the amalgamation of three districts into what is now the Regina Qu'appelle Health Region.

And despite the failure to meet the surgical wait time targets, the government denies it has anything to do with Nelson's decision.

Speaking at the Legislature, Health Minister Dustin Duncan denies there is any link.

"I don't think there is any relation to the challenges they are facing with the surgical initiative."

Duncan and Nelson are due to meet once a month in order to address the wait time targets. The fact that they haven't yet met proves Duncan says, there is no animosity or desire by the government to get rid of Nelson.

Edited by CJME's Karen Brownlee.