With two doctors gone from Weyburn and another two due to leave by the end of August, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has indicated they are working to find replacements, and will provide locum physicians to help cover the shortage in the meantime.
Asked what will be done for people left without a physician they can go to when needed, a statement was issued on behalf of Dr. Kevin Wasko, Physician Executive, Integrated Rural Health, and Karen Earnshaw, Vice President Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority.
“During this interim period, as we continue to work on the recruitment of physicians in Weyburn, patients could see a family physician outside of Weyburn in a neighboring community, such as Radville, Estevan or Regina, who may be taking new patients. In addition, patients can access a walk-in clinic in a neighbouring community.”
It is expected that patients will be able to access the walk-in clinic in Weyburn as it anticipates a reopening in mid-September, after a closure to non-clinic patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The walk-in clinic is located at the Weyburn Medical Clinic.
“The recruitment and retention of physicians across the province is a priority for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Currently, we are working to fill the vacant positions of two physicians in the Weyburn area, as well as two upcoming physician vacancies as of the end of August.
“We are working hard on recruitment, and our efforts include advertising online and through various institutions, such as universities and medical associations, provincially and nationally,” the doctors said.
“We have also submitted an application to the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment (SIPPA)program in an effort to fill the vacancies.”
In the meantime, the SHA currently has the support of locum physician coverage into the new year, and they are looking to see if more locum physician coverage can be obtained in order to fill the gaps until the SHA is able to permanently fill the positions.
“As always, if a patient has an urgent or emergent issue, we recommend they call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department,” said the SHA.
