The province’s Official Opposition is requesting that the provincial government listen to the suggestions of health care workers when it comes to improving the system.

A leading Saskatchewan podiatrist, Dr. Ata Stationwala, says currently, podiatrists have to refer a patient to their family doctors before they can reach a specialist, which leaves their patients waiting weeks for care.

He suggests that the legislation be changed to allow podiatrists to directly refer patients to health care specialists.

“Allowing podiatrists to make direct referrals will save the system money and allow expedited access to specialists for our patients. In cases where our patients do not have a family physician, we are forced to request a patient to attend walk in clinics and emergency clinics to gain access to specialist referrals.”

On that note, Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat added that 200,000 Saskatchewan residents currently don’t have access to a family doctor.

“Having a system that relies on a referral from a family doctor when a podiatrist could do that referral makes no sense,” Mowat announced.

Dr. Stationwala says he has tried to arrange a meeting with Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Tim McLeod, to discuss the matter, but it has been to no avail.

“I want to tell him that this is a simple solution. I am not requesting funds. We are actually going to save healthcare dollars by taking this step.”

Vicki Mowat says to make matters worse; Minister McLeod’s office is right beside Dr. Stationwala’s.