By Kevin Gilby

A representative of the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently met with local stakeholders to discuss the loss of physicians at the Davidson and Craik Health Centres. In separate meetings on the afternoon of April 23, Erin Hess, the Director of Primary Health Care, spoke with the community’s respective stakeholders to discuss ongoing staffing efforts. “We have received the resignation from Dr. Saadat Torabian, who will be leaving at the end of May, and we have also received the resignation from Dr. A. Sodhi, who will be leaving at the end of August,” Hess said. “Right now we are actively working on securing locum coverage. There is a posting for two physicians for Davidson and Craik.” Hess added that the nurse practitioner for the area is scheduled to return in the fall.

“Across my whole network, there is a large vacancy in nurse practitioners. This is another very hard to recruit position in rural (areas). “But we are actively working on a plan for the upcoming vacancies. We will be sharing that further with the community; how we’re going to fill those gaps if we can’t get a physician in the meantime.” Hess said the process may look a little different while the physician hiring is in progress, but the changes, if any, will be communicated with the public. An application has also been made for two physicians through the Saskatchewan International Physician Practice Assessment Program (SIPPA) program. “Davidson has also implemented the Virtual Physician which has been a huge support.

The Saskatchewan Virtual Visit Program is a provincial video-conferencing solution that connects health care providers with patients and their families, supporting access to care regardless of location, while simultaneously improving continuity of care. We’re trying to be as proactive as we can.” Hess indicated that work with existing physicians, locums, and virtual care is continual to prevent or limit possible ER disruptions although none are foreseen at this time. “I really appreciate the relation- ship and partnership we have with Davidson and Craik,” she said. “We meet quite often throughout the year, but in this case we’re going to collaborate with both communities is (potentially) at the end of May.

“I will be updating Davidson and Craik on any progress that is happening. I always appreciate the collaboration of our communities. Always trying to come up with ideas, discuss ways they can support, and how we can work together.”