The provincial government has introduced legislation to allow the new profession of Physician Assistants to be licensed to practice in Saskatchewan. Health Minister Paul Merriman says licensing and integrating PAs into health care teams will help address the demand for more staff in health care.

PAs work under the supervision of a physician and can conduct patient exams, prescribe medications, and order and interpret tests. The Saskatchewan Director for the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants, Todd Bryden, says the introduction of this legislation comes at a critical time when the health care system has been stretched to the limit.

The Medical Profession Amendment Act, if passed, will regulate PAs under the College of Physicians and Surgeons and will establish their scope of practice.