For the latest news and announcements please visit the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.

The capital expansion project in Leader, including various renovations and enhancements to the interior of the existing long-term care side of the facility, remains on schedule to open its doors as the Leader and District Integrated Healthcare Facility later this summer.

Read the rest of this release on Saskatchewan Health Authority’s website: saskhealthauthority.ca/news/

Cabri and area residents will soon have improved access to quality, everyday health services including a broader team of health professionals. The enhancements are a result of adopting a Primary Health Care (PHC) model in the community that includes a Nurse Practitioner and visiting physician services.

“Our government is pleased to support enhanced, sustainable primary health care services for Cabri and the surrounding area,” said Minister Responsible for Rural and Remote Health Greg Ottenbreit. “I congratulate the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Town of Cabri and the nearby municipalities on their forward thinking approach that will benefit residents into the future.”

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health approved funding for the PHC model, including a full-time Nurse Practitioner and one day a week visiting physician services, following a joint submission from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), the Town of Cabri and surrounding municipal partners. The need arose after the retirement of Dr. Fanie de Nysschen in summer 2017. Locum (visiting) physicians have been providing coverage in the community since that time.

“We are very appreciative of the Ministry of Health’s financial investment into establishing a primary health care site that will serve the residents of Cabri and surrounding areas,” commented Bryce Martin, SHA Executive Director Primary Health Care for the southwest area. “Our relationship with the municipal councils is strong and their unwavering support for health care is recognized and acknowledged. It is an exciting announcement for the residents of the area and health professionals alike.”

“On behalf of the Town of Cabri and all municipal partners in the area I would like to emphasize how excited we are for the introduction of primary health care in our community,” commented David Gossard, Mayor of the Town of Cabri. “This is a very exciting announcement for health services in our area. We appreciate the commitment of funding from the Ministry of Health and the partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority as we work together to implement this model of services in our community.”

Work will now focus on recruitment of a nurse practitioner and visiting physician that will work alongside existing Primary Health Care staff in the community. Various technical upgrades are also required at the Cabri Medical Clinic to accommodate electronic medical record systems. Long-term care services will continue to be provided at the Prairie Health Care Centre in Cabri.

The Cabri Primary Health Care Site is funded to operate five days per week. Specific details including the opening date and hours of operation will be announced in the near future.

Primary Health Care is basic, everyday health care and is the foundation of the health system. It organizes health services to provide timely access to the right kind of care through a team of health professionals. PHC team members include physicians, nurse practitioners, health educators, dietitians, public/community health and others. When opened, the Cabri Primary Health Care Site will become Saskatchewan’s newest community to adopt the PHC model. To read more about Primary Health Care in Saskatchewan visit: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/accessing-health-care-services/primary-health-care.

The capital expansion project in Leader, including various renovations and enhancements to the interior of the
existing long-term care side of the facility, continues to reach new construction milestones and remains on
schedule to open its doors as the Leader and District Integrated Healthcare Facility this summer.

The south home, the first of three houses to undergo renovations at the Western Senior Citizens Home, has been
re-occupied since the end of October 2017 and the west home was re-occupied in January 2018. The north home,
the third and final home to be completely renovated, is scheduled for residents to begin to move into their new
space this week.

“It’s great seeing residents enjoy the home-like atmosphere. At home, favourite places to gather as a family are
often the kitchen and dining room and you get that same feeling when you see residents connecting in the new
kitchens and dining room areas,” commented Brenda Schwan, executive director of continuing care for integrated
rural health for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “The new space is welcoming and you can feel the warmth
and friendliness the moment you walk through the door.”

Meanwhile the $12 million capital construction attached to the Western Senior Citizens Home continues to
progress. Recent activity has included construction in the acute/primary care unit. The unit is rapidly taking shape
with the exterior finished and mechanical systems nearing completion. Painting and millwork (interior wood
finishings) are well underway and flooring and ceiling tiles are being installed. There is a large contingent of subtrades
on-site and the work is progressing quickly.

When the expansion project and renovation work is complete the facility will be renamed, as decided by
community members, the Leader and District Integrated Healthcare Facility. It will be the sole location of all of the
community’s health services bringing together acute care, emergency medical services, community health
services, primary health care and long-term care.

Drop-in clinics now being offered throughout southwest

The Cypress Health Region has concluded its mass influenza immunization clinic schedule for the 2017 fall campaign.  The Region’s public health nursing team has provided nearly 40 clinics in 20 communities.

With the larger scale mass clinics now completed, the public health nursing team has moved to the next phase of the influenza immunization campaign.  A series of additional clinics have been made available to provide individuals and families with further opportunities to receive the flu vaccine.

Dr. David Torr, Medical Health Officer for Cypress Health, emphasizes that the public should get their immunization to help prevent the spread of influenza. “Attendance has been good and close to a quarter of the region’s population has been immunized by public health so far.  Those who have not yet had their immunization are encouraged to come and get it before the peak of the season.”

Additional drop-in style flu clinics have been scheduled and will be offered in the following communities/locations:

Swift Current – E.I. Wood Building, 4^th Floor (350 Cheadle Street West)

• Clinic times/dates: December 1, 8, 15, 22; January 5, 19; February 2, 16; March 2, 16, 30 – 8:30am to 11:30am

Maple Creek – Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility (102 – 5^th Avenue West)

• Clinic times/dates: December 14, 21 – 10:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Leader – Leader Community Services (519 Main Street)

• Clinic times/dates: November 28 – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm:

Shaunavon – Shaunavon Hospital and Care Centre (660 – 4^th St East.)

• Clinic times/dates: December 21 – 9:00am to 4:00pm

Each of the above-noted clinics is drop-in style with no appointment necessary.  Individuals are reminded to bring their Saskatchewan Health Card when receiving an influenza immunization.

Parents with children who are under 9 years of age and receiving the influenza immunization for the first time this year should be advised that their child will require a second dose of vaccine to enhance the protection.  The second dose will be required one month after the first dose is received.

Influenza vaccine is also available at many physician clinics and designated pharmacies (ages 9 and over only) throughout the Cypress Health Region.

Immunization is the single most effective measure one can take to protect themselves, their family members, and those around them.  The influenza immunization is beneficial for the entire population over the age of six months to receive.

For more details call public health nursing at 306-778-5280 or 1-866-786-2510 to make alternate arrangements.  Questions regarding the influenza vaccine can be directed to your nearest public health nursing office, your family physician, your community pharmacy, or by calling the provincial HealthLine at 8-1-1.

Free kits available to those at risk of opioid overdose

As part of Saskatchewan’s expanding Take-Home Naloxone (THN) program, THN kits will be available in Swift Current starting November 28, 2017. The program is being launched by the Cypress Health Region in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

The THN kits will be available free of charge to individuals at risk of an opioid overdose. Along with the kit, education and training is provided on overdose prevention, recognition and response, including how to administer naloxone. Training will also be available to those who may witness an overdose, such as family members or friends.

Penni Caron, Director of Mental Health and Addictions for Cypress Health, said the aim is to save lives through education and access to the kits themselves.

“If you or someone you know is using opioids such as heroin, morphine and fentanyl, it’s important to be aware that resources like the Take Home Naloxone kit is available,” she noted.

Naloxone is an antidote to opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin, methadone or oxycodone. When administered properly, naloxone can restore breathing to an individual experiencing an overdose. Naloxone is already in use in Saskatchewan emergency departments and by paramedics in emergency situations to treat an opioid overdose.

Anyone witnessing or experiencing an overdose should immediately dial 9-1-1.

Fentanyl is an opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, oxycodone or morphine. It is a prescribed painkiller that is often added to illegal drugs without people knowing. Overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl have been rising across Canada.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is providing $50,000 this year to fund THN programs across the province.  THN programs are available in the Saskatoon, Regina Qu’Appelle, Prairie North, Sunrise, Prince Albert Parkland, Five Hills, Sun Country, Heartland, Keewatin Yatthe and Cypress health regions.

Individuals interested in obtaining a kit or training, should contact the Cypress Health Region’s Mental Health and Addictions Centralized Intake Team at 1-877-329-0005.

It’s important to think about food safety during a power outage.

A power outage can spoil food and make it unsafe to eat.  If you experienced a short term power outage, the following tips may help you in deciding what is safe to eat and what you shouldn’t keep.

Did you know that a full upright freezer can keep its contents frozen for about 2 days, while a half freezer can keep food frozen for about a day if the doors are left closed? Without electrical power, refrigerators can keep food cool for four hours provided that the fridge is kept closed as much as possible.

When deciding if you should keep food from your freezer or fridge:

• Use a probe thermometer to check internal food temperatures. If possible add bags of ice to the freezer to help keep the temperature cool for a longer period of time and replenish the ice as needed.
• Throw out perishable foods such as meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C (40°F) for more than two hours.
• Foods that have thawed in the freezer may be re-frozen if they still have ice crystals.
• Discard food items in the refrigerators that have come into contact with raw meat juices.
• Consider using cooler or ice chests with a supply of ice for food storage.
• Just remember, when in doubt, throw it out!

If you have any question or concerns please contact your area Public Health Inspector at (306) 778-5280.

For more information on food safety during a power outage see this Fact Sheet.