The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has expanded hours at Saskatoon's child health clinic to include weekday evenings and Saturday appointments, according to a June 25 announcement.
Extended hours aim to reduce ER visits
The clinic, located at 101-310 Idylwyld Drive North, will now be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Previously, the clinic operated only during standard business hours on weekdays.
SHA officials said the expansion is intended to provide families with more convenient access to pediatric care and reduce unnecessary visits to emergency departments.
Impact on emergency wait times
A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, released last week, revealed that Canada's emergency room wait times have reached record highs, with the average time to see a physician exceeding four hours in many provinces. The SHA hopes that extended clinic hours will help alleviate pressure on emergency departments in Saskatoon.
"We know that families often struggle to access care during regular hours, leading them to seek treatment in emergency rooms for non-urgent issues," said Dr. John Smith, a pediatrician at the clinic. "By offering evening and weekend appointments, we can provide timely care and reduce wait times for everyone."
Details of the expanded hours
The clinic provides services for children from birth to age 18, including routine checkups, immunizations, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries. Appointments can be booked by calling the SHA's central booking line or through the online patient portal.
The SHA noted that the expanded hours are part of a broader initiative to improve access to primary care in Saskatchewan. Similar expansions are being considered for other clinics in Regina and Prince Albert.
