Therapy Services

The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Prince Albert and area Therapies Department, with its main office at Victoria Hospital, serves acute care patients, long-term care residents and home care clients throughout the area. There are also offices in Shellbrook and Spiritwood. Services provided by the department include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, podiatry, pediatric early development services teams, and cognitive disabilities for pre-schoolers

Victoria Hospital, Prince Albert 306-765-6126
Parkland Integrated Health Centre, Shellbrook 306-747-4273
Spiritwood and District Health Complex 306-883-4403

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy may be provided to all individuals who may be experiencing physical problems that are associated with injury, disease, disability, birth defects or long periods of inactivity. Physiotherapy includes rehabilitation, as well as prevention of injury and promotion of health and fitness. It is used whenever mobility, independence and physical fitness are important. Physiotherapists often work in teams with other health professionals to help meet an individual's health care needs. Physical Therapy is provided to people, if needed, while staying in hospital or a long-term care facility providing a doctor refers them for the therapy.

The Physiotherapy Department has many areas of practice which includes the following:

Outpatient Assessment and Treatment

Many different types of conditions and injuries may be assessed and treated without a doctor's referral. These may include all types of sports injuries, acute and chronic musculoskeletal and/or pain conditions. Other types seen are pre and post-operative conditions such as total joint replacement surgeries, or fracture-based injuries. Acute and chronic neurological conditions such as Stroke, Acquired Brain Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS and many more may also receive out-patient physiotherapy services. People experiencing breathing problems due to pneumonia or chronic lung problems may are also included.

Inpatient Assessment and Treatment

Clients who are admitted to the Victoria Hospital can be seen by a Physical Therapist for any condition requiring rehabilitation upon a doctor's referral.  Some conditions included but are not limited to are clients who have had a stroke, heart attack, lung problems, general illness and post surgical cases.  All ages can be treated.

Long-Term Care

As for In-patients. Clients can receive assessment and treatment that may be rehabilitation or maintenance based.

Home Care

A Physical Therapist visits the client's home if they unable to come to the Therapies Out-patient department for services. A doctor's referral is not necessary. A client, family member or another health care practitioner may initiate a referral for physiotherapy services. A Physical Therapy Assistant may carry out exercise programs at the discretion of a Physical Therapist. Call 306-765-2450 or 306-765-6126 to speak to the home care physical therapist.

Aquasize Program

This is a gentle water-based exercise program designed for people who may have chronic illnesses such as arthritis and may not yet be strong enough to attend a public aquasize program. It is supervised by Therapies staff who direct the exercises and can work one-on-one with people who require a more hands-on approach. People who require extra assistance for this program are strongly urged to try to find their own helper. Volunteers are sometimes available for this purpose. At present, it is at the Frank Dunn Swimming Pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 12:55 p.m. during the school year (September to June). The cost per session is $2. Please call the Therapies Department at 306-765-6126 for more information.

Neuropediatric

Children with neurological problems such as Cerebral Palsy or those with developmental delays can receive rehabilitation on an out-patient basis.  Physiotherapists also work within a multidisciplinary team which includes Speech and Language Pathologists, Child Psychologists and Occupational Therapists.  This team is called the Pediatric Early Developmental Services Team.

Physical Therapy Drop-In Clinics: When staffing allows, the Physical Therapy service runs a twice-weekly drop-in clinic for non-urgent referrals that are waiting to see a physical therapist. The client is contacted by mail with a date and time to come to the clinic for a screening assessment. It is up to the client to contact the department should the drop-in clinic date not work for them. Please call the Therapies Department at 306-765-6126 to inquire further about this clinic.

Specialty Areas

Urinary Incontinence, Acupuncture and Dry Needling.  These require a therapist who has had extra post-graduate training in these areas. There is a fee charged for acupuncture and dry needling. These specialty services may be limited due to the educational requirements needed to practice these procedures and the wait time for non-urgent referrals.

Exercise Therapy

Exercise Therapists provide exercise prescription for many conditions upon referral from a physiotherapist. 

Pediatric Early Development Services Team

The Pediatric Early Development Services Team provides services to families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental concerns. Our team usually consists of:

  • The child’s parents or foster parents
  • The child’s social worker if the child is in foster care
  • A Physiotherapist
  • An Occupational Therapist
  • An Early Childhood Psychologist
  • A Speech Language Pathologist
  • At times-Local Pediatricians
  • At times-other people you want involved on the team

Together we will figure out what strengths and challenges a child may have (Assessment). We will also work together (Therapy/Intervention) to help the family if the child has any difficulty with:

  • Understanding Words and Ideas
  • Talking (or if your child is very young-using the sounds and gestures that lead to talking)
  • Moving
  • Doing things with the hands, mouth, or body
  • Being calm and managing behavioral concerns
  • Being successful at playing and daily activities (e.g. eating, sleeping, toileting, bathing, dressing)
  • Getting along with people
  • Thinking and figuring things out
  • Feeling happy and confident
  • Or other early childhood developmental concerns

The Team accepts referrals from any source as long as the child’s legal guardian gives permission for the referral to be made. Referrals may be phoned in (306-765-6126 or 306-765-6132), faxed in (306-765-6284), dropped off at the Therapies department at the Victoria Union Hospital, or mailed to ECDT, Therapies Department, Box 3000, VUH, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5T4

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work with individuals and/or families to maximize their abilities in doing their activities of daily living. This includes self care (e.g. eating, dressing), productivity (e.g., work, homemaking), or leisure pursuits (e.g., play, recreation activities). They look at both the person’s physical and mental abilities to perform tasks. Occupational Therapists work with children and adults and are involved in rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health promotion.

Occupational Therapists are part of the health care teams working in hospital, long-term care centers, outpatient department, and home care. If you are in the hospital, live in a long-term care center or wish to be seen as an Outpatient, a physicians’ referral is required. A doctor’s referral is not required for home care Occupational Therapy services.

Generally there is no fee for Occupational Therapy services, but there may be costs involved for equipment or splints a therapist recommends.

The Occupational Therapy Department has many areas of practice which includes the following:

  • Inpatient Assessment and Treatment—Clients who are admitted to the Victoria Hospital can be seen by an Occupational Therapist upon receipt of a doctor’s referral. Clients may be seen for, but not limited to, following orthopedic surgery, stroke, general illness, palliative care. It may include pre-discharge home assessments, provision of positioning devices, or provision of equipment such as wheelchairs.
  • Outpatient Assessment and Treatment—Clients experiencing functional difficulties from injury, medical condition or post surgical may be assessed and treated following a doctor’s referral.
  • Long Term Care—Residents are seen for positioning/seating issues and/or for specialized equipment.
  • Preschool Program—Occupational Therapist is part of the Early Childhood Development Team that sees referred children from the ages of birth to kindergarten. The child may be seen for a developmental delay, neurological impairment, or sensory processing difficulties. Referrals are received from a physician, health care professional, or family.
  • Home Care—An Occupational Therapist completes a home visit to assess/treat client in their own homes, to assist them in maintaining or improving their level of independence and ability to remain in their own homes. Client, family or another health care professional may initiate a referral to Occupational Therapy.

Speech Therapy (Speech Language Pathology Services)

Services available for:

  • Infants
  • Toddlers
  • Preschoolers (not in PreKindergarten programs)
  • Available for infants, toddlers, and preschool children enrolled in privately funded programs housed in schools e.g. Preschools, Daycares, Early Learning Rooms.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority does not provide Speech therapy (SLP) services for children enrolled in school programs including PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, Grades 1-12.This includes children who are home-schooled or in private schools. Talk with your child’s teacher about available services through your school division as these are usually funded by the Ministry of Education or First Nation’s Communities Education Programs.

Languages

Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) speak mainly English and some speak French as well. The  SLPs also have had experience working with families who speak the following languages at home: Cree, Dene, German, Afrikaans, and American Sign Language. We are willing to work with anyone of any language background as long as a translator can be provided by the client or family to attend sessions.

Sites

Adult Services

All at Victoria Hospital (on the wards or in the Therapies Outpatient clinic)

Childrens’ Services

Main office: Victoria Hospital (on the wards or in the Therapies Outpatient clinic)
Depending on the overall # referrals seen: pediatric SLP clinics have been held for several years at
Shellbrook, Spiritwood, Birch Hills, Big River and/or Debden.

Swallowing Services

Infants and toddlers while they are in the Victoria Hospital and follow-up of these children when they go home.
Adults while they are in the Victoria Hospital as inpatients and/or following strokes.