Family Medicine Residency Initiative for Communities in Saskatchewan

Fact Sheet
February 2011

News Release: Harper Government Announces Funding to Support New Family Medicine Positions and Training Opportunities in Saskatchewan

To support Saskatchewan's health care priority of increasing family medicine residencies in select areas, the Government of Canada will provide funding to support up to 6 new residency positions over six years with training in selected locations.

This project will provide enhanced skills training for residents in anaesthesia or surgical skills in a new three-year family medicine training program. The additional skills in anaesthesia or surgery will give residents the experience they need to practice in select communities, supporting improved care to these areas.

The enhanced exposure to rural practice will also help to increase the likelihood that residents will choose to practice in these areas after completion of their training. To further enhance access to physician care in Saskatchewan, residents who are part of this program will also sign a 3-year return-of-service agreement with the Government of Saskatchewan.

The University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine is a key partner in this project.

Today's announcement encompasses a total federal investment of $39.5 million under the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy. This strategy supports and facilitates innovation in health human resources to help bring about an adequate supply of health care providers while promoting optimal working conditions for Canada's health workforce.

• Ontario will be provided up to $11 million to support 60 additional training positions in emergency medicine or enhanced skills in collaboration with the Ontario-based Faculties of Medicine.
• Nunavut will be provided up to $4.9 million to support the creation of up to eight additional family medicine residencies in the Territory in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• In 2010, the University of Manitoba received up to $6.9 million for training 15 additional family medicine residents by expanding its Northern and Remote Family Medicine Residency Program.
• British Columbia will be provided approximately $5.9 million to support the creation of up to 20 additional residencies assigned throughout the Province in collaboration with the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Medicine.
• Newfoundland and Labrador will be provided up to $4.5 million to support up to 16 new family medicine residents in collaboration with Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• New Brunswick will be provided up to $2.8 million to support up to an additional six residencies with enhanced training in emergency and acute care in collaboration with Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine in Nova Scotia.
• Saskatchewan will be provided up to $3.4 million to support up to six new residencies with enhanced training in anaesthesia or surgery in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine.