The First Nations Health Ombudsperson Office has produced three recommendations to be considered following the independent review of Saskatchewan’s health care safety and security.

The third-party review, being conducted by Buckingham Security Services Ltd. and its executive director, Clive Weighill, began on May 22nd. Weighill is also the former police chief of Saskatoon and former Saskatchewan’s chief coroner,

A release from the Province says concerns raised by staff and patients and an increasing volume and complexity of Protective Services interventions prompted the need for a system-wide comprehensive review.

The review includes the examination of current practices, site visits to SHA facilities, meetings with First Nations and Metis organizations, and recommendations to help improve safety for patients, visitors and staff.

The FNHOO met with Weighill on August 13th regarding the review, where the organization presented him with three recommendations: increased representation of First Nations people that occupy decision-making spaces within the health care system; to Strengthen accountability, oversight capacity and performance monitoring of protective services and Saskatchewan Health Authority; and an examination of the health care system’s liability and complicity in anti-Indigenous racism and violence, as well as increased investments in mental health and addictions services, and a review of policies governing the use of secure clinical space and protective services interventions.

The review is expected to proceed for several more months before a report is finalized.