YOUR SMA
SPRING 2014 RA
highlights
The 2014 Spring Representative Assembly (RA) was held on
May 9 and 10 in Regina. This RA had several topics on the agenda, including medical marijuana, Saskatchewan’s physician
human resources plan, the SMA strategic plan and an update
on fee-for-service negotiations.
Address from Minister Duncan
The Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Health, started
the RA off with an address to the physician audience and a
question-and-answer session. Minister Duncan updated the
progress the Province has made under the Saskatchewan
Surgical Initiative, telling the crowd that over 80 per cent
of patients waiting for surgery are now booked for surgery
within three months of seeing a specialist.
The Government of Saskatchewan has made the elimination
of emergency department wait times a priority and Minister
Duncan said that physician involvement will be crucial to
achieving this ambitious goal. The hot spotting pilot project, which will bring primary health care to people who are
regular patients in emergency departments, is a key initiative in the elimination of emergency department waits.
On the topic of clinical appropriateness, Minister Duncan
said that “Physicians will lead the way to provide the right
care, to the right patients at the right time by the right
team.” This is already underway, with the SMA promoting
appropriateness and accountability during the 2013 President’s Tour and at the 2013 Fall RA and partnering in the
Choosing Wisely Canada initiative.
Presidential Address by Dr. Clare Kozroski
On her final day as SMA President, Dr. Clare Kozroski expressed that she is “feeling rejuvenated by the prospects in
the year ahead. We will have a new CEO. We will have a new
office. We will have a new SMA strategic plan.”
Dr. Kozroski said that if physicians want to maintain their
place as stewards of the health care system, they have to
be innovative. This will mean physicians will need to participate in system transformation initiatives such as Lean and
become stronger leaders in their areas of practise.
Believing in the organization and its collective strength will
serve the medical profession well, believes Dr. Kozroski.
“We all know we are stronger when we talk with one united
voice,” she said. “The SMA is that voice.”