Saskatchewan Party MLA - Report from the Legislature
Continuing to invest in our health care system remains one of our government’s top priorities. Saskatchewan physicians and our government recently ratified a new four-year contract. The contract features a 2.5 per cent annual rate increase and a competitive market rate adjustment for the first year. It also includes increased funding to support long term retention, parental leave and continuing medical education. President of the Saskatchewan Medical Association Dr. Annette Epp says, “I firmly believe this new agreement acknowledges and values Saskatchewan physicians.” This supports physician recruitment and retention across Saskatchewan.
Under Saskatchewan’s Heath Human Resources Action Plan, 262 physicians were recruited to the province since September 2021. A further 198 physicians have been recruited from within Saskatchewan over the same period. The Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive, offering up to $50,000, helped fill 253 hard-to-recruit positions. Additionally, 964 nursing graduates were hired, and 178 registered nurses from the Philippines arrived in our province. Our government is committed to expanding our health care workforce, ensuring quality care for the people of Saskatchewan.
Our government launched a pharmacy pilot at Shoppers Drug Mart in Swift Current to provide more primary health care options. Through the pilot, specific patients can seek care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, underactive thyroid, warfarin medication management and mental health management support. Local psychiatrist Dr. Yasir Ahmed says, “This pilot exceeds all of my expectations. Its accessibility for clients is amazingly awesome.” Additional work is ongoing to expand the scope of practice for all Saskatchewan pharmacists to optimize their skills and build capacity within our health care system.
To further enhance primary care in Swift Current, our government is implementing a team-based health care model called the Patient’s Medical Home at the Associate Family Physicians Clinic. In collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and local physicians, the model involves a team of allied health professionals including nurses, social workers, educators and counselors.
They have already reached their target by saving over 560 visits to physicians by having those patients see other healthcare providers better suited to the patient’s needs which frees up physician visits for other people.
The pilot is also set to expand to a second location at the Southwest Medi-Centre. Evidence from other jurisdictions suggests this model improved chronic disease management, reduced emergency department utilization, and increased satisfaction among patients and providers.
These investments allow our health care system to provide improved quality and comprehensive care for the people of Saskatchewan. If you have any questions or need assistance with government services, please reach out to my office.