Agreement means more community doctor visits

First Nation communities in the Sioux Lookout area can expect to receive more doctor visits.
A four-year agreement between the Sioux Lookout Regional Physician Services Inc. (SLRPSI) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care includes a provision that will see an increase in community-based physician services.
John Cutfeet, board chairman of SLRPSI, said the new agreement, effective in October, strikes a balance in providing care to First Nation communities and the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.
“Having the physicians in the community more often is a priority for us but we had to make sure those visits would not come at the expense of the physicians taking care of patients in the hospital,” Cutfeet said.
At present, 23 physicians are working in Sioux Lookout and the surrounding First Nations.
Sixteen of those physicians are responsible for working in First Nations and also to provide emergency and hospitalized care for northern patients in Sioux Lookout.
SLRPSI has even recruited two more physicians to work in the area.
Established in January after replacing the Sioux Lookout Zone Family Physicians Association Corporation, SLRPSI consists of representatives from the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority, Meno Ya Win and physicians.
The Health Authority provides management support and is working to oversee implementation of the new agreement.