WHEREAS there is a shortage of doctors in Saskatchewan; and

WHEREAS currently Nurse Practitioners are successful in southern Saskatchewan; and

WHEREAS Nurse Practitioners are used in northern Saskatchewan in a greater capacity than they are in southern Saskatchewan; and

BE IT RESOLVED that Nurse Practitioners have the same authority in southern Saskatchewan as in Northern Saskatchewan.

Response from Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Health:

Our government recognizes that nurse practitioners are key front-line health providers in the province. Nurse practitioners have actively participated and engaged in efforts to strengthen our primary health services through the work now being undertaken in primary health care. It is further recognized that nurse practitioners support a team approach to health care – one where nurse practitioners collaborate with physicians and other providers in primary health care locations across the province.

Saskatchewan has embarked on a process to strengthen our primary health care system to better serve the needs of patients, health care providers and communities. A focus of primary health care renewal is the need to have all health care providers work to full scope of practice, including nurse practitioners. Barriers to this will be identified and considered. By transforming the way the health system operates, we can ensure quality services are there when Saskatchewan residents need them.