PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SITE FOR ESTEVAN

Released on November 1, 2002

Estevan residents will soon benefit from a new method of health care

delivery.



A group of physicians in the city has signed a contract to establish a

primary health care site at the Estevan Medical Clinic. This is the first

new site established under the government's Action Plan for Saskatchewan

Health Care.



Under the agreement, six local physicians will work in partnership with

other health care providers to provide a full range of everyday services.

This new primary health care clinic will focus on disease prevention, early

intervention, health promotion, treatment and follow-up care.



Health Minister John Nilson says the new site furthers the province's long-

term plan to develop primary health care networks in all regional health

authorities, which was outlined as a major priority in the health action

plan.



"The Estevan Medical Clinic is an excellent example of the team approach to

health care, and of utilizing the knowledge and skills of the clinic's

health care providers to the best of their abilities," Nilson said. "This

innovation will have a positive effect on both the physicians' work

environment and on patient care, and will ensure access to quality health

services."



Two of the physicians at the clinic are general practitioners with

specialized training in anaesthesia and obstetrics/gynecology, two are

foreign-certified general surgeons, and two are general practitioners.

They plan to work under contract, rather than the traditional fee-for-

service arrangement. As well, a specially trained primary care nurse

practitioner will join the team in the future. This is the first primary

health care site in the province to include physicians offering this range

of specialty services.



"This move will mean less duplication and fragmentation in patient care,"

one of the physicians involved with the clinic Dr. Vinogaran Padayachee

said. "I believe it will allow me and the other physicians to use our time

more efficiently, and give us greater job satisfaction."



Sun Country Health Region CEO Lee Spencer agrees. "The Estevan site is

unique and progressive in that it offers speciality services such as

surgery, anesthetics and obstetrics and gynecology. It will become even

more effective, as it integrates with other regional primary services."



The clinic's annual operating budget will be partially offset by a grant

from the federal primary health care transition fund. This fund will

provide $18.6 million to Saskatchewan over the next four years to support

improvements to primary health care delivery.



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For more information, contact:



Myrna Stark Leader

Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4083