Saskatchewan's first Urgent Care Centre to open in Regina on July 2

SHA Outlines Phased Operations Approach, Provides Update on Capacity Pressure Action Plans

Saskatchewan’s first Urgent Care Centre (UCC) will be opening its doors to patients in Regina on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 – starting a new era of urgent care delivery in the province. The facility, located at 1320 Albert Street, will function as an alternative to Emergency Departments for non-life-threatening illnesses, injuries and mental health support that require treatment before the following day.

“Our government is pleased to see this urgent care facility reach this significant milestone providing care for residents requiring urgent but not life-threatening care,” Health Minister Everett Hindley said. “We look forward to the positive impact this facility will have on the accessibility of appropriate health care services in Regina and the surrounding area.”

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is taking a phased approach to operating the UCC, with the facility accepting patients seven-days-a-week from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. beginning July 2. During this initial phase, care teams will ensure those seeking care towards the end of the scheduled hours will have time for treatment and tests to meet patient needs.

The second phase of operations will occur over the Fall of 2024, and will see the Regina UCC accepting patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This phased approach enables the UCC to provide patient care as soon as possible, while allowing staff and physicians providing care at the UCC to become accustomed to the model of team-based care prior to the commencement of 24-7 operations. 

“The SHA is excited to start providing patient care at the Regina UCC on July 2, with patients benefiting immediately as they access this innovative model of care,” said Derek Miller, Chief Operating Officer of the SHA. “This phased approach will support us in increasing urgent care access in Regina immediately, while our teams work through further phases to open the facility 24/7 in the coming months.”

The first-of-its-kind Regina UCC will function as an alternative to Emergency Departments, providing treatment of minor illnesses and injuries that require immediate attention, along with dedicated mental health and addictions services for the provision of discreet and confidential support.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the staff and physicians who have joined the Regina UCC team to provide patients care through this innovative model,” said Shelia Anderson, Vice-President of Integrated Regina Health with the SHA. “This new model of care will see physicians, nurse practitioners, Registered Nurses, technicians and other health professionals working as one-team to provide exceptional urgent patient care.”

 The UCC model is designed to provide another option for patients who need urgent care who may not be able to access their primary care provider after hours or on short notice and avoiding emergency department visits for care that can be safely delivered in another setting. Services provided at the Regina UCC will include:

• Mental health and addictions services, including screening and assessment, counseling, connection to resources, and referrals;
• Injury care including suturing services, sprains, and casting;
• On-site basic diagnostic imaging and laboratory services; and,
• Minor ailments including treatment of infections, fevers, flu symptoms, rashes, dehydration, and mild to moderate asthma.

Saskatchewan’s first Urgent Care Centre has been advanced through capital funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan, along with a philanthropic contribution of $2.4 million by the Hospitals of Regina Foundation and its generous donors for the procurement and installation of priority technology, equipment, furniture and fixtures for the facility.

SHA Provides Update on Regina and Saskatoon Capacity Pressure Action Plans

The upcoming opening of the Regina UCC represents a major step in supporting the SHA’s ongoing efforts to address capacity pressures in Saskatchewan’s major urban centres. Since the introduction of the Regina and Saskatoon Capacity Pressure Action Plans in late 2023, significant progress has been made to reduce capacity pressures, enhancing the patient care provided by SHA teams and staff.

Since the launch of the plans, the SHA has hired more than 290 new staff in Regina and Saskatoon, including almost 100 new nursing positions. These new acute and community positions focused on easing capacity pressures and enhancing patient flow to the appropriate care setting.

Specific to Regina, the SHA has hired 58 new staff positions, including 16 new nursing positions, which has positively contributed to reducing capacity pressures. Since the introduction of the Regina capacity plan, there has been a 21 per cent decrease in the monthly average of patients waiting in Regina hospitals for care in a community setting, compared to the month prior to the launch of the Action Plan. Further, there has been a 50 per cent decrease in the monthly average of admitted patients waiting in emergency rooms for an acute care bed in Regina.

Patients are also benefiting from 20 new transitional-care beds at Regina Lutheran Home that are now available to accommodate patient transitions from hospital to community settings.

Specific to Saskatoon, the SHA has hired 232 new staff positions, including 83 new nursing positions, which has positively contributed to reducing capacity pressures. Since the introduction of the Saskatoon capacity plan, there has been a 46 per cent decrease in the monthly average of patients waiting in Saskatoon hospitals for care in a community setting, compared to the month prior to the launch of the Action Plan. Further, there has been a 44 per cent decrease in the monthly average of admitted patients waiting in emergency rooms for an acute care bed in Saskatoon.

This month, 84 new long-term care beds are becoming operational within community settings in Saskatoon, providing even more capacity to facilitate patient care transitions from hospital settings. This is in addition to the previously added 75 convalescent care beds added through the capacity plan, which have been in operation since early 2024. 

Watch the video of the press conference for this announcement on the SHA YouTube channel.