Premier Scott Moe says the government has to do better.
He explains that the goal as mentioned in the Speech from the Throne is to provide better access to health care including access to more health care professionals, to surgeries, and to Emergency Rooms, considering the disruptions and wait times because of staff shortages across the province.
He emphasizes though, that the challenge is happening across the country.
Moe suggests that the Saskatchewan Health Authority also has to do better, with the approximately $300 million that has been invested in the Health Human Resource Plan for recruitment, training and providing incentives to prospective staff.
Moe says, “I think with the investment they have received and the increases in investment they have received, the expectation of myself and this government and the Saskatchewan people is that they deliver and offer the health care we expect.”
There will be conversations ahead with the Minister of Health and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to talk about the challenges and what operational changes can be made.
The Premier gives the example of the operational change of opening up Regina’s new Urgent Care Centre, taking some of the pressure off Emergency Rooms.
He states that Regina will be getting a second Urgent Care Centre, Saskatoon will be getting two and there will also be Centres in Prince Albert, North Battleford and Moose Jaw.
The first Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre will be at 215 Avenue S South, near St. Paul’s Hospital, to help relieve some of the pressure on the emergency department.