NDP promises to build 100 medical clinics

Saskatchewan's New Democratic Party says it will build 100 primary healthcare clinics in the next decade, in its second major announcement of the provincial election campaign.

The party announced its healthcare platform in Saskatoon on Wednesday, with a focus on rural health care and community services.

"Primary healthcare clinics often make the most sense for patients, and that's why the NDP will double the number of primary healthcare clinics over the next 10 years," said party leader Dwain Lingenfelter in a news release. Lingenfelter said the party would build 30 of those 100 clinics in its first term as government.

If elected, Lingenfelter said the NDP would use nurse practitioners to keep rural facilities open, and hire a team of doctors called "The Saskatchewan Physicians Corps," to consult with the nurse practitioners and provide short-term relief.

Other promises include:

• $20 million to recruit doctors.
• $6 million extra money for emergency rooms.
• An unspecified amount of money to set up surgical centres in smaller Saskatchewan cities.
• $2.5 million per year for midwifery services.
• $2.5 million per year to increase speech and occupational therapists.
• 25 per cent increase in funding for childhood disabilities programming and equipment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other conditions.
• Reinstatement of chiropractic care coverage.
• Reinstatement of a school-based dental program for children from ages 5 to 12, expected to cost $15 million in the first year and $25 million in subsequent years.