The dialogues have been flowing and the goal is to put patients first but the proof will be in the pudding.

Saskatchewan health system and community leaders have been gathering information about a new model of care that is intended to improve patient access to health care services in rural and remote communities, with the goal of implementing it in the province.

A Knowledge Exchange Day was held in Regina earlier this week to explore the benefits of Collaborative Emergency Centres (CECs), a Nova Scotia health care innovation that Saskatchewan is exploring. A Nova Scotia delegation was on hand sharing advice and its experiences. In that province CECs are typically open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During the day, the centres offer access to primary health care. At night, the care is handled by a team that includes a registered nurse and a paramedic, with physician oversight. The centres offer a number of benefits including increased access to services, reduced wait times, same or next day appointments and a team-based approach that offers continuity of care.

Nova Scotia has successfully implemented the CEC model in communities which have had difficulty maintaining 24-7 emergency services.

And now Saskatchewan is being presented the opportunity to follow suit.

We’re advancing and improving but this would definitely be another step to ensure Saskatchewan patients really do come first.