Parkview Optometric Services is one of several medical offices that opened their doors today. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Open for business

Optometry, other services open in Battlefords as Phase 1 begins

May 4, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Residents in the Battlefords were finally able to get to appointments at secondary medical services Monday, in what is hopefully a first step towards a post shut down world.

The first phase of the Reopen Saskatchewan Plan had offices for dental, optometric, podiatric and chiropractic services, among others, along with fishing and boating opening as well. Once the work day started, the staff at Parkview Optometric Services was immediately busy.

“Appointment scheduling is quite heavy and we expect it to stay like that for a number of weeks,” Dr. Gerry Brecker told battlefordsNOW.

Despite the excitement, a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) has a number of offices staying closed for the time being. North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said residents need to keep that in mind before making appointments.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re all open, that’s a choice they’re making,” Bater said. “So, you’ll want to check with your service provider you use to see that they are open.”

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Even businesses opening this week have several challenges in dealing with a backlog of two months. Brecker said people expecting to get eye appointments should expect to wait.

“We’ll do everything we can to catch up.”

Further delays will also come from certain procedures still being unavailable and the number of patients coming through store doors being limited. Brecker said everyone will have to adjust to the routine.

“Takes more time to disinfect the office, to bring people in, mask them, disinfect the equipment and so forth,” he said. “But as time goes on, we’ll pick that up a little bit.”

For now, Brecker said they are all excited to get back to work, even with the challenges ahead.

“By and large, optometry is available.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports