Residents in Wadena and area will benefit from enhanced access to emergency room (ER) services with the launch of the virtual physician program at the Wadena Hospital.
A release from the Saskatchewan Health Authority states this virtual strategy is a temporary measure to address the immediate medical needs of patients presenting to the ER in Wadena when local physicians are not available to provide on-site coverage.
The virtual physician program helps sustain and support ER services while the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) continues work to stabilize health human resources, by recruiting and retaining health-care professionals, including physicians, particularly in rural and remote communities.
Using the existing technology and tools of HealthLine 811, the program provides the local health-care team with remote access to a physician located elsewhere in the province who will safely and effectively assess, triage, and provide treatment to patients in the ER.
The release goes on to say that Wadena joins other rural communities, like Kelvington and Preeceville, that are utilizing virtual physicians to enhance access to emergency room services. Through the virtual physician program, residents in Wadena continue to receive safe, high-quality, patient-centered emergency care as close to home as possible.
Individuals requiring emergency services should call 9-1-1. Non-urgent health-related questions may be directed to the 24/7 HealthLine service by calling 8-1-1.