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Some health-care workers in Saskatchewan may get expanded roles as the provincial government looks to build capacity in the system.
According to a media release Thursday, the provincial government is “looking at innovative ways to increase patient access to a variety of health-care services.” That could mean new duties for some health-care workers.
“In the coming days, the Ministry of Health will begin consultations with a variety of stakeholders on enhancing the scope of practice for pharmacists, nurse practitioners and advanced care paramedics,” the release said.
“The consultations will inform any legislative, regulatory or bylaw amendments that may be needed to allow these health professionals to expand or optimize the services they can currently provide.”
The government offered examples of possible changes, which could include allowing paramedics to stitch up minor wounds or cuts rather than transporting the patient to an emergency department, allowing nurse practitioners to admit and discharge patients at hospitals, and giving pharmacists the power of independent prescribing.
Changes like those could help shorten wait times for care, the government said, or give patients other options for accessing some services.
“Empowering our highly educated health-care professionals to utilize all of their knowledge and skills will ensure patients have greater choice and more timely access to health services,” Health Minister Paul Merriman said in the release.
“These consultations will inform system improvements which align with our ambitious four-point plan to recruit, train, incentivize and retain health-care workers in Saskatchewan.”
The provincial government’s Health Human Resources Action Plan was launched in September in hopes of adding new employees to the system and addressing gaps in the health-care system.
The government said it will consult with regulatory bodies, associations, unions and health system partners over a number of weeks. It suggested other health professionals could get expanded duties in the wake of the consultations.
