NDP health critics Vicki Mowat and Jared Clarke visited Moose Jaw on Feb. 2 to meet with Dr. Ata Stationwala, one of Saskatchewan's leading podiatrists, who said he has been trying to get an audience with MLA Tim McLeod.
Stationwala's clinic is in the same building as McLeod's constituency office at 99 Diefenbaker Drive, and they are direct neighbours. McLeod is the MLA for Moose Jaw North and serves as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors, and Rural and Remote Health.
"We are in Moose Jaw this morning with Dr. Ata Stationwala and my colleague Jared Clarke, who is the MLA for Regina Walsh Acres and our critic for rural and remote health. And we're here today to call on the government to get to the table, to work with health care workers who are actively offering solutions in a broken health care system," Vicki Mowat said. Mowat is the MLA for Saskatoon Fairview and the opposition critic for health and mental health and addictions.
"We have a very clear example of that today with Dr. Stationwala," Mowat added, "who has some very common-sense recommendations for (Minister McLeod), but hasn't been able to secure a meeting despite multiple attempts at follow-up."
Mowat said people in Saskatchewan want their representatives in government to respond to their needs and listen to them.
"I'd like to thank Ms. Mowat and Mr. Clarke for helping me bring attention to my concerns," Stationwala said. Stationwala has practiced podiatry in the province for 23 years in both the public and private sectors, and served as president of the Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists from 2002 to 2021.
"The issue at hand is that, under the current legislative framework, podiatrists in Saskatchewan are not able to directly refer to health care specialists," Stationwala explained. "Should I, or one of my colleagues, see the need for a patient to have a consultation with a specialist, such as an orthopaedic surgeon, we are required to request the consultation via (the patient's) family physician.
"In short, this can cause delays in access to care. In a case, for example, where a patient may have a bony infection in their foot that requires surgical debridement, (rapid access to treatment) could mean the difference between keeping or losing their leg."
Stationwala wants to meet with McLeod to propose administrative changes to shorten the process. He believes that allowing podiatrists to make direct referrals will save the system money and expedite access to care for their patients, particularly for patients who don't have a family doctor.
Despite being next door and reaching out to request a meeting, Stationwala said, he has been unsuccessful. His first request was in 2021 while still president of the Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists.
"I contacted him again shortly after his appointment to cabinet as one of our ministers of health, with no meeting or solution being offered to date," Stationwala said. "I know that when our government wants to, it can quickly make changes needed to improve the lives of Saskatchewan residents. I also know that when it wants to, it doesn't worry about what other provinces are doing, and takes a leading role.
"I humbly request that the Ministry of Health make this a priority and, again, put patients first."
Minister McLeod responds
The Moose Jaw Express reached out to McLeod’s constituency office on Feb. 2 and shortly thereafter McLeod emailed the following statement after becoming aware of the media event at Dr. Stationwala's office:
"I am aware of the concerns raised by Dr. Stationwala and the College of Podiatrists and I brought the matter to the attention of ministry officials long before my appointment as the Minister.
"Podiatrists can refer a patient to any Saskatchewan specialist; however, under the existing regulatory framework, when it comes to a payment for the specialist physician only specialists in pathology or radiology, are eligible to bill Saskatchewan's publicly funded health system for a consultation service when the patient is referred by a podiatrist.
"In January 2023, the ministry provided the Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists with the instructions and materials required to expand the list of these specialty areas that would be eligible when referred by a podiatrist.
"To this point, the ministry still has not received anything from the Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists for consideration in this regard.
"Sincerely, Hon. Tim McLeod, Minister of Mental Health & Addictions, Seniors, and Rural & Remote Health, MLA - Moose Jaw North."
