Eyes on the future: optometrists are among the first wave of previously restricted medical services that can re-open for business May 4. (Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

By Glenn Hicks

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Apr 25, 2020 | 9:00 AM

You’ll finally be able to get that aching back or those troubled eyes dealt with on May 4.

Optometrists and chiropractors are among the first wave of previously restricted medical services allowed back to full-time on-premises work by the province amid the COVID-19 situation. Dentistry, physical therapy, podiatry and occupational therapy are also included.

Dr. Wayne Diakow with FYI doctors on 15th Street in Prince Albert says it’s not just good news for their clients who have been very eager to get much-needed help.

“I think everybody’s anxious to get back to work, it’s been a long time [for us] just sitting around,“ he told paNOW. “For the staff, I think it’s been very difficult for them, so it’ll be very helpful to get them back on a wage and making money again.”

Diakow said he and three other doctors have been staffing the phones from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and have been able to refer patients to specialists as required, but as of May 4 they’ll be able to offer their regular in-premises service.

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“We’ve had a lot of demand from people wanting to come in to be seen …we’ll start up cautiously and take it one day at a time,” he said.

Dr. Blaine Broker with Broker’s Active Care Klinic says they’ve been inundated with voice mails and online messages for weeks now and it’ll be good news when their doors open again in a few weeks time.

“There’s a dire need for our service and we’re looking forward to being able to do what we like to do and help people out via that work,” he said.

Broker thanked his professional association for their efforts with the province in making sure they are among the first wave of services to get back on track as part of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

“Not only are we going to help people that are having acute pain, but hopefully we’ll also defray some of the people having to access emergency rooms and minor emergency clinics for aliments that we can benefit them with,” he said. “[We can] take away a bit of the strain on the health care system.”

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow