PMH in Saskatchewan

Following a recommendation by the Saskatchewan Advisory Panel in 2016, the Government of Saskatchewan decided to develop team-based primary health care in Saskatchewan in the form of Health Networks.

Health Networks connect patients to teams of primary health care professionals and community partners. These primary care teams may include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, mental health counsellors, social workers, and other professionals.

Health Networks allow the Saskatchewan Health Authority to organize services and resources to deliver consistent, high quality, team-based care as close to patients’ home as possible. These services are, in turn, adapted to the needs of individuals and communities. The population specific supports provided by Health Networks can help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations, integrate healthcare services and promote accessible primary care for all.

The PMH and Health Networks are not synonymous—they are designed to work together and support one another. At this time, the Saskatchewan College of Family Physicians (SCFP), Saskatchewan Health Authority, and other stakeholders are working to integrate PMH-aligned practices within the Heath Networks for a more seamless primary care experience. Once fully realized, PMH practices will exist within, and be supported by, the larger surrounding Health Networks. While not yet fully implemented, the SCFP continues to advocate for the PMH and its integration within the Health Network system.