KAMSACK — More locally-based health care professionals will soon be available to the residents of Kamsack.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is introducing a team-based health care program called Patient Medical Homes (PMHs) in 10 Saskatchewan communities – and one PMH is earmarked for Kamsack.
Within the PMH model, a patient will have access to multiple health care professionals based on their needs, instead of a patient’s care stopping with their family doctor. This could involve a patient working with registered nurses, dietitians, mental health therapists, social workers, physiotherapists, pharmacists and others.
“Patient Medical Homes strengthen team-based health care by increasing capacity and allowing providers to work to their full scope of practice,” said Dale Hunter, Senior Media Relations Consultant, Ministry of Health. “Patients at PMHs are able to receive care from the provider (a health care professional) best able to meet their needs, ensuring more timely access to care.”
For Kamsack, the SHA received authorization to hire: 2.05 full time equivalent RN-B positions (registered nurses are paid on a scale, with RN-B in the middle of the pay scale), one counsellor, and one dietitian to form a team that will act as a Patient Medical Home, based in Kamsack.
The annual operational dollars to support these 4.05 full time equivalents is $540,212.
“The SHA is currently recruiting for these positions (in Kamsack),” said Hunter. “Once these positions are filled, the funding will be provided to the SHA to sustain the team.”
The Patient Medical Home in Kamsack will be located within the Kamsack Primary Care Medical Clinic.
