By: Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
Announced on June 16th, the Government of Saskatchewan has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking vendors to provide virtual care services for patients who do not have a regular family physician, nurse practitioner or primary care team. Without a primary care “home,” many citizens rely on episodic care through walk-in clinics or emergency departments, an approach that is costly and can lead to poorer health outcomes.
Starting in the fall of 2026, eligible patients in selected areas will be able to access the virtual care services. The pilot serves two purposes: it is both a service-delivery project and a competitive proof of concept. The Service Provider that demonstrates the best results in terms of performance, outcomes, and value may be chosen to enter into a long-term agreement for a province-wide virtual care program specifically designed for unattached patients.
Qualified Service Providers will provide virtual primary care services for unattached patients in the province until they are linked to a permanent primary care provider. Through this virtual service, patients will be able to receive prescriptions, lab work requisitions, and referrals. Multiple participants will be selected for the pilot program, and through the pilot, the government aims to identify the most effective virtual care model and Service Provider. This selection will be based on performance, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness, with the intention of a wider implementation across the province as a permanent virtual care service for unattached patients.
The Virtual Care Pilot Project is a collaborative effort involving Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health, eHealth Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. This initiative aligns with the Patients First Health Care Plan, first announced by Premier Moe on March 9, and the commitments made in the Throne Speech to ensure that every resident of Saskatchewan has access to a regular primary care provider by the end of 2028. Expanding access to virtual care was one of the 50 actions promised in the Plan to ensure patients could receive the “right care in the right place at the right time.”
“Every Saskatchewan resident deserves timely access to primary care,” Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr said. “This pilot will expand access to care for unattached patients while minimizing travel and wait times across the province.”
The Patients First Health Care Plan promotes using innovation and technology to bring care closer to patients. Expanded scope of practice, including for pharmacists, robot-assisted surgery and a provincial virtual care network, will change how Saskatchewan residents receive care, reducing travel, improving outcomes and “reaching patients in every corner of the province.”
“The SK Virtual Visit Program is a provincial video-conferencing solution that connects health care providers with patients and their families. This is a critical step towards supporting access to care regardless of location, while simultaneously improving continuity of care,” states eHealth Saskatchewan’s website.
The Virtual Visit initiative has several important features. It will be the main video conferencing tool for clinical users and patients in the province. Clinical users can set up the system to fit their practice, allowing them to hold virtual appointments with patients. Patients can join their appointments from home or any other place they choose, knowing that their privacy, security, and reliability are guaranteed. In addition to web access for both clinical and patient users, the Saskatchewan Virtual Visit platform will also work on Android and iPhone devices, making it easy for patients to connect even in areas with low internet speed.
Virtual care programs, from across Canada, indicate that these services can enhance access to healthcare and boost patient satisfaction, while also having the potential to decrease unnecessary visits to emergency departments. Furthermore, virtual care can enhance healthcare resource utilization, reduce system bottlenecks, and improve overall care delivery.