Saskatchewan expands free primary care with nurse practitioner contracts
Saskatchewan has taken a major step to improve primary healthcare by signing its first contracts with nurse practitioners. The move aims to give residents better access to medical services without extra fees. Under the new agreements, 19 practitioners will begin working in cities and towns across the province.
The province has allocated at least $233,000 per contract, ensuring nurse practitioners can provide care at no direct cost to patients. One example is Hanna Latina’s clinic in Regina, which previously charged fees due to a lack of provincial funding. Now, patients there can receive full medical services without out-of-pocket expenses.
With 19 new contracts already in place, more patients will soon receive care closer to home. The province’s investment is designed to ease strain on hospitals while making routine medical services more accessible. Officials have not yet released details about the next 25 practitioners set to join the programme.
