REGINA — The Government of Saskatchewan has announced initiatives to enhance and expand use of nurse practitioners throughout the health-care system.
To enhance the role of nurse practitioners, the Ministry of Health will work to pilot a new model for independently operated, publicly funded nurse practitioner clinics. These clinics will improve access to primary health care by providing a new avenue for patients to seek care.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will explore further opportunities to expand the areas of service for nurse practitioners, including in settings other than primary health care.
To improve access to primary health care in rural, regional, and northern communities, 25 new nurse practitioner positions will be created over the next year under the SHA, including in SHA clinics and as part of primary health care teams.
The ministry will work collaboratively with the SHA, the Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners and other primary care stakeholders toward implementing these initiatives.
