Shaunaon Collaborative Emergency Centre

The new Collaboration Emergency Centre (CEC), which will be open 24 hours a day, has opened in Shaunavon, Sask.

The new centre will extended health care and 24/7 emergency care to residents in Shaunavon and surrounding areas.

"Our government wants to ensure that rural residents have timely access to quality health care services," says Randy Weekes, Saskatchewan's Rural and Remote Health Minister. "That means receiving the right care, at the right time. Shaunavon's new Collaborative Emergency Centre offers expanded access to primary health care providers and the assurance that 24/7 emergency service is available for patients."

Many rural Saskatchewan communities face challenges in recruiting and retaining family physicians. CECs use a team-based approach to offer predictable and sustainable emergency coverage in areas that have experience disruptions in hospital services.

"This model of care will offer enhanced primary health care and more consistent, stable emergency care to the residents of Shaunavon and surrounding communities," says Beth Vachon, Cypress Health Region CEO. "We are very optimistic that the model will create a workplace that will result in improved recruitment and retention of our health team including physicians, nursing staff, EMS providers, and all others."

The new facility will have extended hours of primary health care between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, run by a team of three physicians and nurse practitioner. Nursing staff and a local primary care physician will provide urgent and emergency care during the daytime hours. A Registered Nurse and Paramedic, with support from a STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) physician, will lead assessment, minor treatment and urgent care during the overnight period (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.).

Saskatchewan opened its first CEC in Maidstone earlier this fall, with several more CECs opening in other communities in the coming months. The CECs are based on a model used in Nova Scotia.