Recently, the Saskatchewan Health Authority officially launched, with the proclamation of The Provincial Health Authority Act. Proclamation of the Act legally transfers the operations and employees of the 12 former Regional Health Authorities to the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
“Launching the Saskatchewan Health Authority is an important step in our journey to transform the provincial health system,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “I thank all of our health system partners for their hard work to prepare for this first day of operations. We will continue to work together to better co-ordinate and improve health care services for Saskatchewan people.”
To ensure a safe transition with no impact to frontline care, there are no changes to health care programs, services, facilities or phone numbers on the first day of operations. Residents and patients should continue to access care in the same way as they always have.
“The launch of the new Saskatchewan Health Authority does not mean that the health services residents depend on will be centralized or reduced,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Greg Ottenbreit said. “Management and services will continue to be available locally, to be responsive to the unique needs of patients and communities.”
Maintaining community engagement and local relationships is a priority for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and a framework for Community Advisory Networks will be developed in the future. In the meantime, current Community Advisory Networks will continue to operate as usual.
