Estevan MLA Lori Carr says bringing healthcare services to rural Saskatchewan is a challenge, but one she is fully committed to tackling. Now three months into her role as minister of mental health and addictions, seniors, and rural and remote health, she said she is still adjusting to the position.
“It feels like I’ve been in the portfolio forever, but honestly, it’s only been three months,” Carr said. “So the transition is still truly taking place. It’s a lot to learn.”
She described it as a “heavy portfolio” due to the serious and complex nature of healthcare decisions.
“The issues we’re dealing with in healthcare are a lot different than, you know, parks, culture and sport, for example,” she said. “The seriousness of decisions being made and how that affects everybody in Saskatchewan—I take the role very, very seriously, and I’m truly starting to dig in.”
Medical staff shortages are facing all corners of the province, including communities like Watrous.
The province has introduced a Health Human Resource Plan with targeted incentives to attract healthcare workers to underserved areas.
She said building a sense of belonging within a community is key to keeping healthcare professionals in rural areas long-term.
“That really is, once again, all hands-on deck,” she said. “The community needs to get to know them, welcome them, and make them want to stay longer than maybe what they initially signed up for. We will continue to do that work as we move forward.”
The province has introduced financial incentives for healthcare professionals willing to work in rural Saskatchewan. Registered nurses can earn up to $50,000 in incentives, while doctors can receive an additional $200,000.
“We do have those incentives in place to get people there—it’s just about finding the right person who wants to go,” Carr said.
While waiting for permanent positions to be filled, the province is relying on virtual care to provide additional support. The system allows healthcare staff in rural facilities to connect with virtual doctors for patient assessments.
“They can pick up the phone, call a virtual doctor and triage patients in that facility,” Carr said. “So we do have some resources in place to help augment services.”
In some cases, locum doctors—who work in a community for short-term periods—are being used to fill staffing gaps.
“Not the ideal situation, but something to fill that gap until we get a permanent position,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Carr said the province remains committed to strengthening healthcare in rural Saskatchewan and ensuring people in smaller communities receive the services they need.
-With files from Blaine Weyland