REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority website has gotten an upgrade to better assist people seeking information about mental health and addictions services.
At a news conference Friday, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Lori Carr announced the new Search by Service function on the website.
“This enhanced function will allow the user to find out not only where services are located, but what services are available. This change is about empowering Saskatchewan patients and families. Residents will be able to find the information they need regardless of whether services are delivered by the SHA, provincially funded recovery treatment centres, or federally funded treatment providers.
“It supports informed decision-making by helping users and providers match individuals with appropriate services efficiently.”
Derek Miller, chief operating officer with the SHA, explained how it works. Using a phone or a computer, people can go to the SHA drop-down menu and find services that can be filtered by type, location or age group. Or one can simply type a keyword and go straight to services that match.
The results would then appear in a clear list and on an interactive map. Users can then select a service and details, including how to connect and directions to get there. The information will include both Saskatchewan Health Authority services as well as other community-based supports.
“This approach allows people to look for care in the way they naturally think about it. Search by service creates a consistent and welcoming entry point to care,” said Miller.
He called it a “meaningful improvement for Saskatchewan patients and families, one that's grounded in listening to people and responding to what they've told us they need.”
“Patients, families and providers have been clear that finding service hasn't always been as easy or intuitive as it should be. That feedback matters and this work directly responds to it. What we're introducing is a new way to search online for mental health or addiction services people need and that fit their situation.”
The province says it provided $250,000 for the website upgrades, which also supports the Government of Saskatchewan's Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions.
The upgrade should improve the experience on the SHA website. Previously, the services had been listed on the website, but officials explained it consisted of a long list of different providers and was difficult to quickly find what type of service the user needed.
“So this is in response to that kind of feedback and ourselves as the health system, we also acknowledge that we need to do better in terms of navigating and providing the information that people need, especially when they're in that moment looking for help," said Miller.
The site has been active now for the last couple of weeks. Miller said they will be looking for feedback and other ways to improve it for the patient experience, but believe it will be a "much better experience" for users.
