Diabetes & Endocrinology - Pediatric

The Saskatchewan Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Program brings together a team of experts who work with families to support safe, effective, and coordinated care. This team-based approach remains an important part of the services available to children and families in Regina, Saskatoon, and communities throughout Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) remains committed to ensuring children and families continue to have access to specialized pediatric diabetes and endocrinology services as close to home as possible while maintaining the high standards of care families expect.

Children living with diabetes require specialized care that extends beyond physician appointments. Pediatric diabetes care includes education, nutrition support, insulin management, social and emotional support, and ongoing monitoring as children grow and their needs change.

Through a coordinated provincial team, children can receive support from a multidisciplinary team that includes:

• Pediatric endocrinologists
• Diabetes nurse educators
• Registered dietitians
• Social workers
• Other pediatric specialists and health-care professionals
• Administrative and care coordination supports

Pediatric diabetes and endocrinology services are provided through both Saskatoon and Regina locations, while the program is designed to help children and families receive consistent, expert care throughout their journey, from diagnosis through transition to adult care. Team members also provide education, treatment planning, and support to families, health-care providers, schools, and communities across Saskatchewan.

Pediatric Endocrinology

An endocrinologist is a hormone specialist who provides care to kids with potential hormone problems. 

This clinic is staffed by pediatric endocrinologists and is supported by a pediatric endocrinology nurse. The team provides education, testing, diagnosis and treatment of many hormonal disorders including:

• Growth
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Puberty
• Calcium/bone
• Adrenal
• Hypoglycemia

Regina and Southern Saskatchewan Pediatric Diabetes Program Update

We understand that recent public communications regarding pediatric diabetes services created confusion and concern for patients and families in Regina and southern Saskatchewan. We sincerely apologize for the stress and uncertainty this caused.

We want families to know that there are no plans to discontinue pediatric diabetes and endocrinology services in Regina. The SHA is actively working to strengthen the program and ensure these services remain available for children and families in southern Saskatchewan. 

What Is Happening?

The pediatric diabetes and endocrinology program in Regina is currently experiencing staffing challenges, including physician resource pressures.

However, patients will continue to receive care through a team of physicians, and Regina-based nurses, allied health professionals, and specialists who remain committed to supporting children and families requiring diabetes and endocrinology services.

What has changed?

Some patients requiring highly specialized endocrinology physician services may temporarily need to access care in Saskatoon while recruitment and service planning efforts continue. This is intended as a temporary solution to ensure uninterrupted access to specialized care and is not a decision to permanently relocate services from Regina. 

What is the SHA doing?

The SHA is actively working to strengthen and stabilize pediatric diabetes and endocrinology services in Regina through ongoing physician recruitment efforts for long-term sustainability.

In addition, the pediatric diabetes program is strengthening Regina nursing and multidisciplinary clinical supports. This includes approval to hire additional permanent, full-time staff in Regina to support nursing, nutrition, social work and program coordination. The local team will continue to work closely with patients, families, and care teams to ensure continuity of care while recruitment is underway.

What Families Can Expect?

Every child and family's situation is unique. If changes are required to your child's care plan or appointment location, program staff will communicate directly with you.

The SHA is committed to ensuring children continue to receive appropriate care based on their individual medical needs and circumstances

• Why might some patients need to travel to Saskatoon? Temporary staffing challenges mean some patients who require highly specialized endocrinology services may need to access care in Saskatoon while the program continues recruitment and stabilization efforts with local physicians.
• Will all patients need to travel to Saskatoon? No. Care decisions are being made based on individual patient needs. Families will be contacted directly if any changes affect their child's care or appointments.
• What is being done to improve the situation? The SHA is conducting active recruitment, enhancing program planning, strengthening nursing and clinical supports, and adding new positions to support long-term program sustainability in Regina.

Questions About Your Child's Care

Children and families continue to receive support through the Saskatchewan Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Program across the province, with care teams based out of Regina and Saskatoon.

If you have questions regarding your child's care, upcoming appointments, or any changes to how services will be provided, please contact your care team directly.