The Official Opposition has released data detailing the extent of the staffing shortage at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

JPCH has a staff target of two pediatric gastroenterologists, or gut doctors, but both positions remain empty. The hospital also hoped to hire two pediatric nephrologists, both positions which were unable to be filled.

Opposition Leader Carla Beck is calling on the provincial government to address the staffing shortage at JPCH, as some residents are having to seek treatment outside the province.

“This is a rich province. We should be able to take care of our kids at home. Does the Premier accept any responsibility for the Sask. Party’s failure to keep staff in this province?”

Beck invited Kaitlyn and Jordi Soron to the Legislature yesterday. Their two-year-old daughter requires care from a pediatric gastroenterologist – a gut doctor for kids.

Beck says there used to one at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, but since they left, the Soron’s have had to travel to Toronto for care for their daughter.

“When we don’t have healthcare workers like GI specialists, families like Kaitlyn and Jordi’s are forced to pay out-of-pocket to got to Toronto to get the care that should be available at home.”

Minister of Health Everett Hindley says efforts are currently underway to hire one.

“It’s my understanding that the SHA is in the process of finalizing a contract with two candidates, and we’ll have more information on that in the near future. I would reiterate that we are doing everything we can to fill these vacancies,” Hindley assured.

Beck says the Soron’s aren’t alone, and families all over the province are forced to either watch their children suffer or travel out-of-province, because the government’s healthcare staffing plan is failing. She says this is a rich province, and we should be able to take care of children within its boundaries.