Saskatchewan Health Authority Commits to Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Today, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and its Board of Directors signed a Patient Rights and Responsibilities agreement – Our Commitment to Each Other - enshrining several elements related to patient safety, quality care and the SHA’s commitment to truth and reconciliation.

“This agreement gives the SHA something we can point to and say, this is what we do for patients, and this is what they will in turn do for the health-care system, and fellow patients,” said SHA Board Chair Arlene Wiks. “What this document really does is articulate how patients can expect care to be provided in a safe and respectful manner.”

“We know that each and every day, the hardworking staff of the Saskatchewan Health Authority seek to provide care that is focused on putting the needs of our patients first, and treating each and every patient with fairness, respect and dignity,” said SHA CEO Andrew Will. “By signing this document today, we further commit to continuing our work to provide care that is available, accessible and fair for everyone.”

These patient rights and responsibilities were created collaboratively with input from more than 700 different individuals across the province over the past several years. Partners in its development include patients themselves, families involved with patient care, First Nation and Métis communities, staff and physicians from across Saskatchewan. Some elements of the agreement include:

•  Providing care, free from any form of discrimination;
• Providing translation services and explaining care in a way that’s more understandable to everyone;
• Striving to include cultural supports when care is provided;
• Keeping health information private;
• Partnering with patients to help with health care choices and needs; and,
• Helping patients access their health information.

The new agreement replaces all existing patient rights and responsibility agreements that were in place in the former health regions.

The rights and responsibilities document is available to the public, patients, families and more than 40,000 staff and physicians at all SHA facilities throughout the province. Elements of this document will ensure a consistent approach to quality health care to anyone, anywhere.

Copies of Our Commitment to Each Other can also be found on the SHA website.