Leader emergency room services supported by a virtual physician program

In August 2024, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) extended the virtual physician program to the emergency room (ER) at the Leader and District Integrated Health Care facility.

The virtual physician program is a temporary measure that helps sustain and support access to emergency health services while the SHA continues to stabilize health human resources, particularly in rural and remote communities. As part of the provincial government’s Health Human Resource (HHR) Action Plan, recruitment and retention of health-care workers remains a priority.

A new physician has been recruited to Leader and will arrive in the community this fall. The virtual physician program will support the health care team in addressing the emergent medical needs of patients presenting at the ER while recruitment efforts are underway to fill remaining provider vacancies.

The virtual physician program also maintains ER services when local physicians are providing primary health care services and are not available to provide coverage in the ER. Using the existing technology of HealthLine 811, the program provides the health-care team with remote access to a physician located elsewhere in the province to continue safely and effectively assessing, triaging, and providing treatment to patients in the ER.

Leader joins several other rural communities utilizing virtual physicians to enhance access to emergency room services. Through the virtual physician program, residents in Leader continue to receive safe, high-quality, patient-centred 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.