REGINA - In light of the recent remarks of family doctors protesting the Government of Saskatchewan’s approach to COVID-19, Opposition Leader Ryan Meili called on the Government to stem the exodus of Saskatchewan physicians and create a health workforce strategy.
“We have doctors and nurses leaving our province because of this government’s failed pandemic mismanagement of our health system,” Meili said. “The figures are alarming. These are the consequences of a provincial government who has ignored the pleas of medical professionals, who feel unsupported and underappreciated.”
Between 2018 and 2021, 82 fewer family doctors are actively practising in Saskatchewan or an 8% decrease. In rural Saskatchewan, things are even worse - 11% decrease over 3 years.
“Wishing our problems away will not address the personnel shortages and service disruptions in Canora, Kamsack, Radville, Unity, Leader, Biggar, Indian Head, Porcupine, Preeceville, Wolseley, Pangman, Carlyle, Central Butte and Broadview health centres we are experiencing today,” Meili remarked. “The exodus of family doctors is only one side of the challenges our health system faces.”
The Official Opposition is calling for the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately plan for the recruitment and retention of family doctors and other medical professionals.
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Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.