Broadview to benefit from virtual physician (VP) program
Residents of Broadview and area will soon benefit from increased access to emergency room (ER) services through the introduction of the innovative virtual physician (VP) pilot program. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) will extend the VP program to Broadview Union Hospital beginning January 15.
The virtual physician program helps sustain ER access during periods where the facility may be experiencing gaps in physician coverage. The program gives nursing staff remote access to a physician through HealthLine 811 to allow for the required physician coverage in an ER in order to provide safe, quality care. The pilot program is a temporary measure that assists with sustaining local ER services while physician recruitment efforts continue and has already been implemented in two other rural communities throughout the province.
“The SHA is committed to limiting service disruptions and making sure rural residents have access to emergency services in their community when they need them,” said Brenda Schwan, Vice President, Integrated Rural Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority. “We have seen the difference this innovative program has made in communities like Porcupine Plain and Oxbow, giving them the time they need to address staffing or physician coverage issues while ensuring residents have access to ER services. We are pleased to add Broadview to the list of communities that will also benefit from this program.”
Broadview Union Hospital was able to resume ER services at reduced capacity in May 2022 following a long-term disruption that began in August 2019 due to staffing challenges. Recent combined laboratory and x-ray technologist (CLXT) and physician recruitment success supports the introduction of the virtual physician program and, with it, expands access to ER services by four additional hours. Local physicians will cover the ER from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. with virtual physician coverage from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Emergency room services are not available on statutory holidays. A new physician is expected to arrive in the community in February. Further updates will be provided as information is available.
“This is great news. I would like to thank the community, local stakeholders and everyone else involved in helping make the program and local recruitment efforts successful,” said Trent Truscott, Director Primary Health Care, Saskatchewan Health Authority. “It is a great example of a local, collaborative effort that got us to this point.”
The SHA continues to work to address some of the outstanding barriers to resuming full 24/7 ER access, including stabilizing registered nurse (RN) resources. Due to the current challenges with providing consistent 24-hour nursing and physician services at Broadview Union Hospital, acute care services will remain temporarily unavailable. Alternate level of care (ALC) remains available. Health-care recruitment and retention continues to be a priority for the SHA and the Government of Saskatchewan.
In the event of an emergency, please call 9-1-1. Non-urgent health-related questions may be directed to the provincial HealthLine 24/7 service by calling 8-1-1. Residents are encouraged to seek routine health-care services during regular clinic hours. The Broadview Medical Clinic is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 306-696-2266.