Saskatchewan’s government has signed its first contracts with nurse practitioners to expand primary care.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill says the 19 new contracts will help patients get medical care sooner and closer to their homes.

Nurse practitioners can perform many tasks similar to family doctors, such as diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications and providing referrals to specialists.

Cockrill says each contract costs the province at least $233,000, and they will work in cities and towns.

He says the province plans to provide more contracts in the future, with 25 to be signed in the next two months.

Hanna Latina, a nurse practitioner who signed a deal with the province, says it allows her to offer thorough care without having to charge patients.

The clinic in R

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