Released on September 21, 2020
$30 Million Dedicated To Future Construction Of Saskatoon And Regina Urgent Care Centres
The Government of Saskatchewan is preparing detailed plans for a provincial Urgent Care Centre (UCC) in Regina. The $15 million Regina-based centre provides an alternative to Emergency Departments for an illness or injury that is not life threatening but can’t wait until the next day, including mental health and addictions supports. The centre will offer 24-hour/seven-days-a-week access.
The centre is also expected to lower wait times for health care issues requiring urgent medical attention.
“Plans to build an Urgent Care Centre are currently in motion to provide another option for Regina patients who need immediate attention for non-life threatening conditions,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “Both Regina and Saskatoon Emergency Departments experience significant capacity pressures. The Urgent Care Centres planned for these cities will address this issue by reducing wait times, improving overall patient experience and connecting people to the follow up care they need within their communities.”
Urgent care centres provide injury care such as stitches and casting for minor broken bones; treatment for infections, fevers, rashes and flu symptoms and on-site diagnostic imaging, pharmaceutical and laboratory services. The centre will also offer urgent mental health and addictions supports.
Patients will be supported by a range of care providers including physicians, registered nurses, clinical counsellors, social workers, mental health care and addictions workers, diagnostic technicians and pharmacists. Further development and planning on the scope of programs and services to be offered are in progress.
Plans to finalize the centre’s future location are also currently underway. A final location will be announced later this year. The planning and design phase for this centre will begin immediately.
“This presents a great opportunity to expand services to the people of Regina and provides an appropriate alternative to the emergency departments when urgent care is needed,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “The Urgent Care Centre will provide people an additional option for accessing urgent care in addition to family physicians, primary health care clinics and others in community. This is part of the SHA’s connected care strategy.”
The $15 million in funding is part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s two-year, $7.5 billion capital plan to stimulate the province’s economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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For more information, contact:
Colleen Book
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca
Saskatchewan Health Authority
Phone: -1833-766-4392
Email: media@saskhealthauthority.ca