Saskatchewan Health Authority

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is very pleased to be partnering with Poundmaker's Lodge Addiction Treatment Centre, which will provide culturally appropriate and safe treatment to help clients overcome their addictions and live safe, healthy lives in recovery. The centre just announced 14 new withdrawal management and inpatient addictions treatment spaces to Saskatchewan residents.

Outstanding Achievements - SHA volunteer Annique hopes her art will make a small difference by brightening someone's day when they have to be in the hospital. Thank you Annique for sharing your skill, passion and time with us.

Outstanding Staff and Physician Achievements - SHA Emergency Medical Services Community Paramedicine teams were recognized nationally by Health Standards Organization (HSO) as an exemplary leading practice. Community Paramedicine works with local health-care teams to benefit patients and families with care closer to home and to prevent the need for visits to the emergency room. In Saskatchewan, 48 ground ambulance services currently provide community paramedicine programming, supporting over 10,000 community paramedicine care events across the province in 2023-24.

Outstanding SHA Staff and Physician Achievements - Overdose Outreach Teams (OOT) operate in Saskatoon and Regina and connect individuals who have recently experienced an overdose to provide short-term counselling and connect them to programs and services for longer term support. OOT is a partnership between SHA mental health, addiction services and the local fire service. Harley, one of many clients assisted over the last few years, has made major strides in his recovery in the last six months. He was referred to the Overdose Outreach Team (OOT) in Regina following a near-fatal overdose and significant withdrawal symptoms. The Regina OOT helped Harley access required medications, support from the Regina Detox Centre and connected him to the Opioid Addiction Treatment (OAT) clinic. Harley continues to call the Regina OOT monthly, who are happy he continues sharing updates on his success.

Pediatric gastroenterologist Dr. Rabin Persad will begin practicing in Saskatchewan on October 1, 2024. “I’m extremely excited to join the SHA and this growing team that has been doing such great work in a challenging environment,” Dr. Persad said. “I am eager to be part of providing the patients and families of Saskatchewan with consistent and stable services in the near future. A key goal upon arrival is to build relationships and expand the pediatric gastroenterology program across the province.” Dr. Persad has practiced at the Stollery Children’s Hospital since 2006. Welcome, Dr. Persad!

Today (July 19, 2024), the SHA is celebrating "Pink Day" in honor of Swift Current's Bella Brave, who sadly passed away on July 14th after a complex medical journey.   Bella's story exemplifies the bravery of our patients and the unwavering compassion of our healthcare teams. Her legacy continues to inspire hope and courage across our entire organization. Bella's memory reminds us of the profound impact our patients' have on health teams, driving our dedication and compassion every day.

Outstanding SHA Staff and Physician Achievements - Dr. Daniel Irvine – recipient of 2024 Emergency Medicine Physician of the Year (Prairies –Rural, Remote, Small Urban) from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians - CAEP.   Dr Irvine, who is originally from La Ronge, serves his community as a family physician as well as in the emergency department in the La Ronge Health Centre.

A new mobile MRI arrived at the Regina General Hospital (RGH) last month, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority is working to prepare it to begin delivering patient care in late July. It is expected to increase MRI capacity in Regina by approximately 5,000 scans over the next two years, providing crucial support to patients in Regina and southern Saskatchewan. While MRI wait times across the province have decreased, demand in Regina has increased. To address this issue, the SHA contracted with the James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) and National Medical Imaging, a JSCN-owned entity, to lease the mobile MRI equipment for its operation at the RGH. Thank you to James Smith Cree Nation and Government of Saskatchewan for support of this initiative.

Outstanding SHA Staff Achievements – Val Pottle, a social worker at Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon, recently received the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers Distinguished Service award. It is awarded to someone who has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to excellence in social work practice. Val has been a social worker for over 35 years and worked on almost every unit at RUH. She is a mainstay in the department and represents social work excellence! Congratulations to Val on this incredible accomplishment!