Dear editor:
Providing patient-centred care is a top priority for our government. That is why, when my office was made aware of the challenges to providing emergency care in Preeceville, we worked tirelessly with the Ministry of Health and the Sunrise Health Region to find a solution.
The departure of a physician from Preeceville in late June was unexpected and added urgency to the recruitment efforts of the region. Sunrise has now recruited a new, full-time rural locum physician who will start at the end of September and deliver primary health and ER services until the end of December. Although there is much more work to do, ER services are now planned to be fully operational, with the exception of weekday evenings alternating weeks. Sunrise will provide ongoing public updates on the ER schedule and will continue to work diligently to find additional ER coverage. They are looking forward to having a new doctor start full-time early in 2016.
Since elected in 2007, this government has continuously worked hard to ensure that rural residents have consistent, reliable access to health care in their communities. There are now 482 more physicians practicing throughout Saskatchewan, including almost 190 international physicians, 96 per cent of which are working in rural communities. To encourage new graduates to practice in rural areas, we also introduced incentives to attract physicians to an expanded rural internship program. We also increased medical training seats at the College of Medicine, from 60 in 2007 to 100 today and doubled residency seats. Our government also invested $37 million to establish STARS Air Ambulance, a service that saves rural lives by providing an immediate lifeline to those in emergency situations.
We know that there is more work to do to improve the quality of life for rural residents in Saskatchewan, and our government is committed to continue taking the necessary action to support health care throughout the province.
Greg Ottenbreit
Minister of Rural and Remote Health
