TEAM-BASED APPROACH TO HEALTH SERVICES IN HUDSON BAY

Released on January 14, 1999

Associate Health Minister Judy Junor today announced the establishment

of a primary health services site in Hudson Bay in the Pasquia Health

District. The most significant difference Hudson Bay and area

residents will notice will be the addition of a primary care nurse who

will complement the team-based approach to health service delivery.

The health team will focus on early intervention, prevention and

health promotion, as well as treatment and ongoing follow-up with

patients.



"This primary health services site is an excellent example of how,

through co-operation and a community approach to health care, we can

make our province's health system better serve our residents," Junor

said.



The primary care nurse with advanced clinical training will, under the

medical supervision of the local physicians, be able to treat minor

illnesses and stable chronic conditions. This will mean that

residents may see the nurse instead of, or in addition to, the

physicians.



In addition to the primary care nurse, the health team includes

physicians, public health, mental health, the Hudson Bay and District

Assessment and Resource centre, home care, visiting health

professionals and workers from other community services.

"We look forward to the addition of an advanced clinical nurse to

our existing team," Hudson Bay physician, Dr. Don Gelhorn said.



Junor congratulated the Pasquia Health District, staff and Hudson

Bay physicians for their pioneering work in providing Hudson Bay

and area residents with this team-based approach to health

services.



"We believe that these changes will enhance our ability to offer

a broader range of health services which will benefit our

patients," Hudson Bay physician, Dr. Larry Sandomirsky added.

"We hope that these new arrangements will enhance our ability to

recruit and retain physicians in Hudson Bay and area."



The Hudson Bay site is part of a provincial primary health

services initiative introduced in 1997. Other primary services

sites have been established in Beechy, Kyle and Hafford, and

Saskatchewan Health is working with other health districts,

physicians and communities to establish additional primary health

services sites.



"We are pleased to support the addition of the primary services

site to the range of services to be provided at the new Hudson

Bay Health Care Facility," said Pasquia District Health Board

Chairperson Carol Hayward. "We are putting the health needs of

our residents front and centre by embarking on a community-based,

team-work approach to health service delivery."



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306)787-4088



Gordon Denton; CEO

Pasquia Health District

Tisdale

Phone: (306)873-3100