The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health's, Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SSI), recently released "Sooner, Safer, Smarter" the Plan to address the challenge of surgical wait times in the province. The plan is intended to improve the experience of Saskatchewan surgical patients, reduce surgical wait times to no more than three months within four years, ensure that short wait times can be sustained into the future, and make changes that result in better and safer care for surgical patients. Details of the Plan can be obtained at http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/saskatchewan-surgical-initiative.
"Sooner, Safer, Smarter" is based on five objectives:
- Shorter waits for surgical care;
- A better experience for patients and families;
- Safe, high quality care;
- Support for good health;
- Patient-centered providers.
Specific to objective #4, the Plan recognizes that any effort to improve surgical care must include the promotion of good health and prevention of injury so that more Saskatchewan people can delay the need for surgery - or avoid it all together. To that end, one of the four points highlighted states the SSI Plan will work to reduce falls and fall-related injuries: Guided by Safe Saskatchewan's Seniors' Fall Injury Prevention Strategy (SFIPS) and the Safer Healthcare Now! campaign, health system partners are identifying ways to reduce the risks of falls for seniors. By creating safer environments and helping older adults reduce their own risks, we can help seniors retain their mobility and avoid the debilitating injuries that often lead to surgery.
This is truly exciting news and a validation that the time for seniors' fall prevention in our province is now at hand!!! Thanks to each of the members of the SFIPS Steering Committee for all the good work they've done over the years to position seniors fall prevention as a health priority!