Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Saskatchewan’s health minister was in Regina on Tuesday to announce the signing of seven new nurse practitioner contracts in the city.
The contracts are among 40 new ones provincewide, which come as the cap on nurse practitioner positions was lifted.
“Probably 60 per cent, 65 per cent, I would estimate, are in more urban communities, with the remainder in rural communities,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said at a new conference at the Prairie Nurse Practitioners Clinic.
“There’s a ton of interest from rural communities, different municipalities about getting involved, about trying to incent nurse practitioners to come to their community, which is really exciting to see.”
The contracts are part of the province’s broad health-care commitment to make sure every resident has a primary care provider by 2028.
Changes were made in May to remove provisions so nurse practitioners can assess, diagnose, order and interpret tests, issue referrals and prescribe drugs. Because of this, they’ve become an alternative for those who can’t access a family physician.
The province is trying to find a model that works in Regina and smaller communities such as Southey or Bengough, Cockrill said.
“There’s interest there, especially for nurse practitioners who want to stay as close to home as possible and care for people in their community.”
Some representatives of nurses don’t think enough is being done to fill the gaps.
The Association of Professional Nurses of Saskatchewan says seven new contracts is not enough.
“While this announcement is encouraging, it is important to be clear: seven new contracts alone will not fully address the scale of Saskatchewan’s primary care challenges,” executive director Delasi Essien said in an emailed statement.