Province expands team-based care model

October 30, 2026

Media Release, Health, Gov't SK

Key points from this story:

• Strengthening access via primary health care teams
• Model known as Patient Medical Home
• $10.8 million for Patient Medical Homes
• Funding allocated to 22 SHA initiatives
• 27 clinics funded through Innovation Fund
• $1 million supports contracted nurse practitioners

This team-based model, also known as a Patient Medical Home, builds on the government's commitment to ensure every Saskatchewan resident has access to a primary care provider by the end of 2028. The patient medical home model creates an environment that enhances collaboration and improves both access to care and attachment to a primary care team.

"Expanding access to primary care is one of the key actions outlined in our Patients First Health Care Plan," Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "By investing in team-based care, we are making it easier for Saskatchewan residents to connect to the right care, in the right place and as close to home as possible."

Recent provincial budgets have provided a total of $10.8 million to support Patient Medical Homes, to date this funding has been allocated to 22 initiatives within the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). The Ministry and SHA continue to partner to support further expansion of primary care teams across the province to ensure patients have timely access to a primary care team.

Another initiative that promotes team-based care is the Innovation Fund which provides support for family physician-led, team-based care clinics across the province. In partnership with the Saskatchewan Medical Association, funding has been awarded to 27 clinics since 2024, for innovative approaches that improve patient access and enhance collaboration with Saskatchewan's health care system.

Additionally, Saskatchewan has launched the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (NP) Contract Program, which has expanded opportunities for NPs to provide publicly funded services to thousands of Saskatchewan patients.

As part of the Patients First Health Care Plan, a $1 million investment in 2026-27 is supporting Ministry-contracted NPs with funding to hire a registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, or licensed practical nurse within their clinics to form a primary care team. Eleven NPs have been approved to receive funding under this new initiative. These investments complement ongoing efforts to modernize care delivery and improve access to primary care services.