Released on September 21, 2020
The Government of Saskatchewan is dedicating $15 million to building a new Urgent Care Centre in Saskatoon. This 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.
“Emergency Departments in Saskatoon are often very busy with patients who could be better served in a different care environment,” Premier Scott Moe said. “The new Urgent Care Centre will add an important option and complement existing health services available to Saskatchewan patients. This is a step forward in reducing wait times for patients at Emergency Departments and supporting timely access to urgent care.”
Urgent care centres provide injury care such as stitches and casting for minor (eg. fingers, toes) broken bones; treatment for infections, fevers, rashes and flu symptoms and respiratory care such as asthma; 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 Saskatoon and provides an appropriate alternative to the emergency departments when urgent care is needed,” Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO Scott Livingstone said. “This center will supplement the services already provided in community by family physicians, primary health care clinics and others in support 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: 1-833-766-4392
Email: media@saskhealthauthority.ca