Released on December 10, 2014
Residents in the Touchwood Qu’Appelle area now have improved access to primary health care services thanks to an innovative multi-community partnership. Fort Qu’Appelle, Balcarres and Lestock are part of the Touchwood Qu’Appelle Primary Health Care Network, which also serves the First Nations in the area.Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit today joined members of the public, health region representatives, health care providers and local officials for a grand opening ceremony in Fort Qu’Appelle.
“This network will provide easier access and more reliable health services to people in a broad area,” Ottenbreit said. “Together with our partners, we’ll continue efforts to improve patient experience and ensure more stable, sustainable primary health services for everyone in the province, no matter where they live.”
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region and All Nations Healing Hospital partnered in the development of this multi-community model of care in consultation with communities, First Nations and health care providers.
“I appreciate the effort of those involved in creating this innovative approach to delivering health care by developing partnerships between communities and strengthening primary health care teams that provide a broad range of services at Primary Health Care centres in Fort Qu’Appelle, Balcarres and Lestock,” Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region CEO Keith Dewar said. “Enabling people to access the care they need, when they need it, closer to home will result in healthier communities.”
The Touchwood Qu’Appelle Primary Health Care Network provides a broad range of services:
- Core services (all sites) - Lab and X-ray, nursing and reception/clinical administration support services in each site.
- Rotational services offered by appointment or same day (walk-in) - Physician services (based in Fort Qu’Appelle) and Nurse Practitioner services in each site. Midwifery services are offered through All Nations Healing Hospital.
- Rotational services by appointment (all sites) - Dietitian, home care, diabetes education, physical and occupation therapies, public health nursing, and mental health and addictions counseling services.
- On-demand services (all sites) - EMS and HealthLine.
The network’s primary health care team includes physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Primary Health Care Registered Nurses, clinic assistants, community-based service personnel and home care staff. Health care providers rotate between the three sites. This helps provide more reliable, predictable services and reduces the need to travel for patients.
“This centre offers all the services a patient needs in a rural town,” Fort Qu’Appelle patient David Yee said. “There is access to doctors, dietitians, mental health services and home care at any time. Having all of these services in one place make this centre a success.”
The three sites have introduced an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system to improve communication between health care providers, and help provide more efficient, better coordinated care for patients. A patient’s health information is immediately available to all team members in any of the collaborative sites through the EMR.
The Touchwood Qu’Appelle Network is one of the eight primary health care innovation sites funded by the Ministry of Health.
The provincial government has invested $13.2 million since 2012 to support strengthened primary health care in the province. This includes $3.42 million in 2014-15. The funding helps health regions stabilize services and supports innovative models of primary health care.
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For more information, contact:
Lisa Thomson
Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region
Regina
Phone: 306-766-5332
Email: lisa.thomson@rqhealth.ca
Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tmcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca