To mitigate pressures felt by hospital emergency rooms around the city, Saskatoon will be getting a new Urgent Care Centre in the coming years.

Health Minister Everette Hindley says the inner workings of the facility will mimic those of the UCC in Regina, which is set to open this summer.

“Regina has I think 130 full time equivalent positions there. Everything from doctors to nurses to lab staff. I think that it would be a similar footprint here when it comes to the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre with respect to the number of staff required.”

Hindley says the facility will tend to patients who need same-day treatment, but their ailment isn’t serious enough to be treated in the emergency department.

“Something like a heart attack or a serious car accident, that goes to your emergency department. But, for example, if your kid is playing on a playground, breaks their arm or needs some stitches, that can’t wait until tomorrow, but that could come to the Urgent Care Centre to be treated.”

Premier Scott Moe says the project will also provide a great atmosphere to train up-and-coming healthcare workers at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.

“This is an opportunity to bring SIIT very close to this facility and increase and expand some of the training opportunities that our Saskatchewan residents have to train here at home, and ultimately transition and work…right here, as well.”

The province is also partnering with Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments to construct the new building.