Sask. government expands community wellness bus project to P.A.

The Government of Saskatchewan is rolling out a new way for people in Prince Albert to access primary health care.

The community wellness bus project sees mobile clinics staffed and operated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority offering a range of health-care services at various locations. The provincial government said one of the wellness buses has been operating in Regina since February 12, and the program will soon be expanded to Prince Albert with a third bus expected to come to Saskatoon later this spring.

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Services offered on the buses include basic physicals, health education, monitoring of chronic diseases, vaccinations, testing for sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, injury care including stitches, referrals for addiction and mental health services and counselling, and more.

The buses will be staffed by SHA nurses to offer a variety of primary health-care services and referrals. (Government of Saskatchewan/Submitted)

The health-care workers staffing the buses – which will include a nurse practitioner and a licensed practical nurse – will also hand out take-home naloxone kits in a move aiming to reduce the number of overdoses in the community.

“The Prince Albert bus has been stopping at various locations this week to offer the public a chance to see what services will be offered and ask questions,” the Ministry of Health noted.

“The bus will be fully operational soon and residents can call 306-940-9943 for location and hours of operation.”

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the buses will help improve access to health care, which has been an issue in Saskatchewan since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Wellness buses will ensure that residents across the province have another avenue to get the care they need in their communities,” Cockrill said in a statement.

Andrew McLetchie with the Saskatchewan Health Authority said the service will help reduce barriers for those who have had issues “accessing timely services in traditional ways,” and will expand the health system’s capacity to deliver care.

“This mobile service option demonstrates our commitment to providing equitable access to health services and allows interdisciplinary teams to deliver culturally responsive, stigma-free, nonjudgmental, and trauma-informed care to improve health outcomes for vulnerable individuals,” McLetchie said in a statement.

In Regina, the bus is currently operating from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday at the rear parking lot of the Lawson Aquatic Centre at 1717 Elphinstone Street.