Living

This section has information about your rights and responsibilities related to health care, what to do in an emergency, and how to find a doctor or other medical services in Saskatchewan.

In Saskatchewan, you take an active part in your own healthcare.  You have both rights and responsibilities.  You have the right to choose your own doctor (or other healthcare provider), ask questions about your health or the advice you are getting, and agree to or refuse medical treatment.  You can ask for a second medical opinion about your health problem. 

Your medical record belongs to your doctor, however, you have the right to see your information or obtain copies of any of the records.  Your doctor may choose to charge a reasonable fee for providing copies of your file records.  You also have the right to have your personal and medical information kept private and confidential.

It is your responsibility to give health care providers information about your medical condition.  You are also required to treat medical staff and other patients respectfully.

An emergency means that you need medical help right away.  Throughout Saskatchewan, you can call 9-1-1 on the telephone to talk to an operator who is trained to get you the right kind of emergency service.  This service is for life-threatening situations.  With the exception of the Athabasca Health Authority, 9-1-1 is available across Saskatchewan.  When you call, you should stay calm and speak clearly.  Say your phone number and address, and the kind of emergency, for example, fire, police or ambulance.  When you call 9-1-1 from a land line, they can trace your call to your location even if you are not able to tell them your exact location.  If you call from a cellular phone, they are able to trace you to an area.  There are no over the phone interpreters available for 9-1-1 calls.

Some local hospitals or health centres have Emergency Departments that see people with emergency medical conditions such as a broken leg or chest pain.  You do not need an appointment.  They are open for emergency needs 24 hours a day, every day.  Your telephone book lists hospital phone numbers in its front pages. 

You should not go to the Emergency Department for your non-emergency medical needs.  In some cities, you have the option of going to a medical clinic.  However, in smaller cities or towns, the Emergency Department may be your only option for receiving care when your doctor’s office is closed.

Saskatchewan's Poison Control Centre gives 24-hour free emergency treatment advice on all kinds of poisoning.  The phone number is 1-866-454-1212.

It is a good idea to find out what services are available at your local hospital and make sure you know where to go ahead of time.  Keep a list of important telephone numbers close to your phone.  This will make it easier and faster for you to get help if you are injured or become sick.

Ambulance Services

Sometimes you need help getting to a hospital.  Ambulances are available in Saskatchewan by road and sometimes by air.  Ambulance costs are only partly paid for by Saskatchewan health coverage, but costs may be covered by different programs.  No one will be refused ambulance service because they cannot pay for it.

There are several free telephone help lines that you can call and get help from a medical professional in Saskatchewan.  Many of these lines are available 24 hours a day and the person answering the phone keeps your information confidential.

There are several free telephone help lines that you can call and get help from a medical professional in Saskatchewan.  Many of these lines are available 24 hours a day and the person answering the phone keeps your information confidential.

The HealthLine is a free, 24-hour provincial telephone line that you can phone 7 days a week with your health questions.  Professional health nurses provide advice to callers and keep all information confidential.  HealthLine service is offered in English, with translation services available in many other languages including French, Cree and Dene.

HealthLine 1-877-800-0002

If you have problems hearing, please call 1-888-425-4444 to use HealthLine.

Below are a few other Saskatchewan's 24-Hour Telephone Help Lines:      

• Women's Crisis Line:  1-888-338-0880
• Kids Help Phone:  1-800-668-6868
• Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Help Line:  1-800-306-6789
• Poison Control Centre:  1-866-454-1212

In Saskatchewan, when you have a question or concern about your health and it is not an emergency, you will usually visit your family doctor or community health centre.  In some communities, a specially trained nurse (nurse practitioner) may assist you and only call the doctor if it is necessary. 

Family doctors may work on their own or with other doctors or nurse practitioners in a medical group.  In Saskatchewan, there are both male and female doctors, and they will have both male and female patients.  To find a list of doctors who are accepting new patients in your health region, visit Find a Doctor.  Use the Health Region Community List to find out the health region that your community is in.  The list will also tell you whether the doctor is male or female.  You can choose either a male or female doctor when you choose your family doctor.

Over the years, Saskatchewan has welcomed health professionals from many parts of the world.  In many cases, you can find a doctor who speaks your language.  Ask friends, neighbours or a Regional Newcomer Gateway about a doctor in the area who might speak your language.

When you have a question or concern about your health, you call the doctor's office to make an appointment for a visit.  At the office, you fill out forms and show your Health Services Card; then you see the doctor.  You do not pay any money.  The doctor's office sends the bill for your treatment to Saskatchewan Health.  Your doctor will determine if you need hospital treatment and arrange it for you.  Your doctor will also determine if you need to see a specialist and make the arrangements.  This is called a referral.  For example, if you need an operation, you would be referred to see a surgeon.  You might also be referred to a physical therapist, dietitian or other healthcare professional.  

If you are not sure if a particular service is available or where to find it, the best starting place is through your doctor or the nearest Public Health Office.  On-line information is available from Saskatchewan Health.

Hospitals

Saskatchewan has hospitals in its cities and larger towns.  Hospitals vary in size and the types of services they offer.  If you need hospital treatment, your doctor will arrange it.  If you need treatment a certain hospital cannot give you, arrangements are made for you to go to a hospital that can provide it.  

When you are staying in a hospital, nursing care, medicine, hospital clothes, bedding and food are provided for you.  You must bring personal items such as a comb and toothbrush.  The stay does not cost you money if it is for basic medical services covered by Saskatchewan Health.  There is a charge for extra services such as a semi-private or private room.

Medical Clinics

In the larger cities, there may be Medical Clinics located in different areas and staffed by doctors who treat minor emergencies and health problems.  For example, you can get x-rays, stitches for minor cuts, a prescription for medicine, bandages, etc.  You can find Medical Clinics listed in your Saskatchewan telephone book’s Medical Services Guide (the green pages) or by calling your local Health Region’s office.  You do not need an appointment at medical clinics.  Sometimes these clinics are also called “Walk-In Clinics”.  They are used by people who do not have a family doctor, or who need help at times when they cannot get an appointment with their family doctor.

Other Health Facilities

Public Health Offices, Community Clinics, University Student Health Centres and Primary Health Centres are run by the health regions.  Each offers its own range of medical services and programs, such as immunization, pre-natal education, family planning, health promotion and work in disease prevention. To find a health facility, visit Saskatchewan Health Regions and Facility Designation Map.

If you are having problems with your teeth, you may need to see a dentist.  The College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan has a list (directory) of dentists that you can search by location.  Dentists and dental specialists practice privately in Saskatchewan.  These services, including checkups, are not covered by Saskatchewan Health.  In some situations, families may be eligible for coverage for some dental services through the Ministry of Social Services. 

Optometrists meet vision needs such as eye checkups and prescriptions for eyeglasses.  You can find a list of Saskatchewan optometrists in your area using “Find an optometrist” on the Saskatchewan Association of Optometry website.  You can search by either City/Town, the optometrist’s last name, or the postal code of your area.  Only some optometric services are covered by Saskatchewan Health.  Children under the age of 18 are covered for one eye examination each year. 

If you have a hearing problem, you can get help through the Saskatchewan Hearing Aid Plan.  Physiotherapists and many chiropractic specialists work in private clinics.  Depending on your situation, their services may be covered by Saskatchewan Health.

Full, Partial and Out of Province Health Service Coverage provides you with more information on health services coverage or you can call 1-800-667-7766.

If you need medicine, your doctor writes you a prescription.  You take the prescription to a pharmacy or a drugstore, where a pharmacist gives you the medicine you need.  You need to pay for your prescription.  With your Saskatchewan Health Services Card, you may be eligible for Saskatchewan Drug Plan benefits which can help you with the cost of your prescription drugs.  You can call 1-800-667-7581 to find out more information.

In Saskatchewan, strict laws control the sale and use of prescription drugs.  Doctors and pharmacists work together to make sure medicines are legally obtained.  To get prescription drugs any other way is against the law.  Drugs cannot be shared, even by family members.

Pharmacies sell much more than prescription drugs.  In many of them you will find a post office outlet for buying stamps and mailing letters.  Some are open 24 hours.

Immunization 

It is important to have your children immunized (also called vaccinated) to protect them from certain diseases that can be caught from person to person.  You can receive vaccines for your children free of charge through your Public Health Office. 

If you have children of school age, you should bring their immunization records and an English translation of them with you to Saskatchewan.  These documents are required when you register them in school.  You should also give them to your new doctor.

Services for People with Disabilities

In Saskatchewan, people with physical, mental and learning disabilities are treated equally with others.  Saskatchewan values having everyone take part fully in community life and live as independently as possible.  People with problems related to disease, accident or disability can receive medical services ranging from assessment to treatment and if necessary, long-term care within the health regions.  For more information, visit Services for People with Disabilities.

Addictions

Treatment centers offer help for people with alcohol, gambling or drug addictions and substance abuse habits.  For more information, visit Saskatchewan Health, Mental Health and Addictions.