Renewed MOU on health services in Lloydminster

Alberta and Saskatchewan pledge to provide a seamless, coordinated approach to health care for the residents of Lloydminster and the surrounding area.

Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro and Saskatchewan Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the provinces.

“Lloydminster is unique in Canada as a single municipality located in two provinces,” Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health, Alberta said. “Area residents expect and deserve access to high-quality health-care services regardless of provincial borders. Our renewed MOU furthers the long-standing relationship we have with our Saskatchewan partners to strengthen the provision of health-care services to the citizens in our jurisdictions.”

In the renewed MOU, Alberta and Saskatchewan have agreed to collaborate in the planning and funding of health services delivered within a 150 kilometre radius of the City of Lloydminster.

“A location as unique as Lloydminster that serves not one but two provinces requires a unique approach to health-care services,” Everett Hindley, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health, Saskatchewan said. “We are excited to extend our MOU with Alberta and focus on our shared goals to better serve residents. We’re committed to providing residents in the area with the best health care while addressing future needs together.”

As a key component of the previous MOU, Alberta and Saskatchewan worked with the Bi-Provincial Health Services Committee to address issues of concern to the community. This resulted in improved health information sharing, dual physician licensing, emergency medical service (EMS) improvement and standardization. The committee, which includes senior health ministry, health authority and community representatives, continues to meet regularly. The previous MOU expired in July 2019.

“The renewed MOU will advance our ongoing collaboration with Saskatchewan to deliver optimal health-care services to the residents in my constituency. This also paves the way for new initiatives that will support an integrated approach to health services delivery,” Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, Alberta said.

Colleen Young, MLA for Lloydminster, Saskatchewan says, “The continuing partnership between Saskatchewan and Alberta will provide the best possible health-care services for the residents of Lloydminster and the surrounding area. I look forward to the increased efforts both governments will make through this renewed agreement to increase and improve health services.”

The committee will continue its collaborative work to strengthen health services in the region, including advancing infrastructure funding, mental health investments, health information sharing and dialysis expansion and relocation.

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca