Sun Country Health Region is embarking on an information campaign to help the public receive the most appropriate health care service.
"The Region wants to ensure that the public's access to care is consistent and equitable, that all patients receive the right care at the right time from the right health care professional. That is the way our health care system can provide the best care for everyone," says Janice Giroux, Vice President, Community Health.
To that end, patients are encouraged to find their own family doctor and limit their use of the emergency department at Weyburn General Hospital to emergency needs only.
"Thanks to a rigorous recruitment effort, the Region has returned to its full complement of doctors this year," says Mrs. Giroux.
"That means each person in Weyburn and area should be able to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner to provide basic, primary health care services. Patients who have a regular doctor, who call Healthline at 811 for help, or who use the extended clinic hours at the Weyburn Primary Health Care Clinic are less likely to turn to the Emergency Department for non-emergency services," she says.
"The people who really need emergency services will receive faster service when the ER is less busy and people who are suffering from non-emergent health issues will receive more efficient and effective service."
The advertising campaign will begin in mid September and continue into October, using a variety of venues. SCHR staff will hold focus groups in January to determine if the public's knowledge of the availability of health care services has improved.
Once the results are known, the campaign will be extended to other communities in the Region.
