Two physicians have been recruited for the Canora area to join the team of Dr. Mala Singh, Dr. Victor Obiora, and Lorri Dennis (nurse practitioner).
At the end of May, Dr. Augustine Egbagbe ended his medical practice in Canora, leaving the area with a physician shortage, which in turn made it necessary to temporarily put on hold visiting physician services at the Invermay Health Centre and the Norquay Health Centre, according to a release from Sunrise Health Region.
The Canora Collaborative Emergency Centre (CEC) ensures that emergency services at the hospital are uninterrupted and the Canora physicians continue to accept clinic appointments seven days a week, assisted by temporary physician locum coverage. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, with Saturday and Sunday appointment options available.
All weekday and weekend appointments must be pre-booked. Weekday appointments (Monday to Friday) will continue to be held at the downtown Canora Medical Clinic location. Persons who have pre-booked an appointment for Saturday and Sunday will be seen at the Canora Hospital. Directional signage is posted inside the main entrance of the hospital, pointing the way to the weekend clinic room.
A newly-recruited physician will join the Canora medical practice in September after he successfully completes the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment(SIPPA). According to the Sunrise release, SIPPA is a process that ensures internationally educated physicians are ready to practice medicine in Saskatchewan. Sunrise has recruited a second physician who is
awaiting approval for enrolment into the fall session of SIPPA. Pending successful completion, this physician will be in Canora to begin seeing clients in January. The names of the physicians will be announced by the health region after the start dates are confirmed.
To ensure timely renewal of prescriptions, the health region is asking clients to be aware of medication end dates. Clients are asked to make an appointment several weeks before the current prescription expires.
During the temporary suspension of visiting physician services, Sunrise suggests that Norquay Primary Health Care Clinic appointments can be made with the Nurse Practitioner Donna Abrahamson.
Until the clinics resume in their home communities, residents from Invermay and Norquay areas may call to make an appointment with one of the physicians in Kamsack or book an appointment with the physicians or nurse practitioner in Canora. The walk-in clinic at 398 Broadway in Yorkton at the City Medical Centre is another option for quick access.
CEC renovations
Renovations have started at the Canora Hospital to relocate the CEC and are going well, according to the Sunrise release. The health care team will be co-located at the Canora Hospital in the fall of 2015.
Co-location of the Canora Hospital, Canora Medical Clinic, collaborative emergency centre, primary health care, home care and public health into the Canora Hospital building will provide one-stop convenience for the public and will provide a work environment that supports good team connection and communication.
The construction tender was awarded to Logan Stevens Construction. Ventilation units have been installed to maintain negative pressure so that construction can proceed without impacting air
quality in the rest of the building. Renovations are currently on track and should be completed by October.
“We ask the public’s assistance in waiting to see the space until the grand opening event,” said Jennifer Richardson, Health Services Manager of Canora Hospital. “It is important to keep traffic to a minimum in the renovation area for the safety of the public and the construction workers, and to maintain infection control.”
The downtown Canora Medical Clinic will prepare for the move over the next several months. Until the move, clients will be seen for weekday appointments at the Canora Medical Clinic and on the weekends, clients will be seen for pre-scheduled medical appointments at the Canora Hospital.
The floor plan for the section of Canora Hospital that will house the new care centre was developed in consultation with the staff and physicians in Canora.
