Glaslyn and area residents will soon be able to receive the primary health care services of a nurse practitioner right in their own community, thanks to a partnership between North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings , Prairie North Health Region and the Village of Glaslyn.
One to two days per week beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4, patients will be seen by a nurse practitioner at the site of the former medical clinic in the Glaslyn municipal building, 172 Main Street in Glaslyn.
Patients will be seen by appointment only. Initial booking of appointments can be made now by contacting the Edam Primary Health Care/Medical Clinic at 306-397-2334.
Clarence (Red) Pearce, chairperson of NSRMHH, credits Glaslyn residents for launching the initiative to return health services to their community. He explains Glaslyn residents approached North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings to join the network of clinics the organization operates in collaboration with Prairie North Health Region.
The network includes primary care clinics in St. Walburg, Edam, and Turtleford. Prairie North physicians, nurse practitioners and other health professionals deliver the health care services under the region's Primary Health Services Program.
Glaslyn's new primary health clinic will operate as part of the Health Holdings/PNHR network.
"We welcome the community of Glaslyn as a member of NSRMHH and are pleased to join Prairie North Health Region and the Village in extending services to the community," said Pearce.
Vikki Smart, PNHR vice-president of Primary Health Services, said, "The return of primary health care services to Glaslyn represents a patient first approach to rural health care."
She commended Glaslyn residents, the municipality and NSRMHH for their initiative in bringing the project forward.
"We are proud to work with our residents, communities, and partnering organizations to help meet patient needs," added Smart.
Key to the expansion of services to Glaslyn was filling of the second full-time NP position for the Turtleford and area primary care group. Nurse practitioner Celeste Toews accepted the position to provide clinic services in Glaslyn and in the other clinics in the area.
Smart and Pearce agree that with four physicians, two nurse practitioners and modern health care facilities, NSRMHH and PNHR are solidifying their group practice model, providing long-term, sustainable health care to rural residents.
