The Government of Saskatchewan is expanding the scope of some healthcare professionals, giving them the option to provide additional services, optimize their skills, and improve patient care throughout the province.
"These changes will empower our highly qualified pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and paramedics, giving them the opportunity to make greater use of their skills and expertise to further support patient care," Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "Expanding the scope of practice in these three professions will serve to strengthen our health care teams, improve patient access to health services and help build additional capacity within our health care system."
The enhanced scope of practice will enable three professions to provide additional health services, where possible.
Pharmacists:
- Allowed to independently prescribe.
- Order lab tests and conduct point-of-care testing, such as drawing a small blood sample, to advise patients on medication to better manage diabetes or cholesterol.
Nurse Practitioners:
- Extended privileges for admission and discharge of patients in some hospital areas.
- Conduct initial examinations of new long-term care residents, be responsible for ongoing medical care and treatment for residents, emergency care and sign death certificates for residents in LTC.
Advanced Care Paramedics:
- Perform suturing for minor wounds, cuts, or lacerations.
The Ministry of Health says they held consultations with regulatory bodies, colleges, associations, unions, and health system partners to figure out how the scope of practice could be optimized for the three professions.
The provincial government says that there may be opportunities to expand and optimize the scope of practice for additional health professionals in the future.