Contributed
Herbert and area residents will benefit from enhanced access to emergency health services, thanks to the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHAs) virtual physician program.
This temporary, innovative, virtual care strategy supports the health-care team in Herbert to continue providing safe, high-quality patient-centered care in Herbert & District Health Centre’s emergency room (ER).
The virtual physician program also supports the local physician by allowing for ER coverage when they are not available. Using the existing technology of HealthLine 811, the program provides the health-care team with remote access to a physician located elsewhere in the province to safely and effectively assess, triage, and provide treatment to patients in the ER.
Herbert is the ninth community to benefit from the virtual physician program. To date, it has also been successfully introduced in health-care facilities in Biggar, Broadview, Davidson, Gravelbourg, Kipling, Outlook, Oxbow, and Porcupine Plain.
Individuals requiring emergency services should call 9-1-1. Non-urgent health-related questions may be directed to the 24/7 HealthLine service by calling 8-1-1.
