The NDP released troubling findings from a Freedom of Information request that shows the Sask. Party is letting Saskatchewan people down by ignoring glaring health infrastructure issues.

“The Sask. Party wants to brag about growth, but they’ve got no plan to ensure that our healthcare system is keeping up,” said NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat. “They’ll do everything they can to distract people from their failure to keep our hospitals running smoothly.”

The records obtained through FOI show staff at the Regina General Hospital reporting that the Infectious Disease Clinic’s floor “is in terrible disrepair,” including silver duct tape holding down the linoleum at nearly every entry in the department, and long strips of it through entire rooms.

In the neonatal intensive care unit, staff reported a “possible infection control issue” if the service room was not repaired. This is on top of the multiple reports of faulty oxygen outlets, dripping ceilings and fall risks.

Other unfilled work orders at the General include the following:

• “Mental Health -1D West – LEAKING Ceiling IN PATIENT ROOM #4”
• “NICU – Service aid room in need of maintenance….possible infection control issue if not done”
• “Mental Health 1D86 flooring at door threshold is lifting +++ SAFETY FALL RISK”
• At least 8 examples of leaking or non-operational air/oxygen outlets

 “What we’re seeing at the Regina General is happening all across the province,” Mowat emphasized. “A province-wide facility audit found $2.2 billion in needed repairs in 2014, and that infrastructure deficit has now grown to $3.3 billion.

“For the sake of patient care, the Sask. Party cannot continue to ignore the problems that are plaguing our province’s hospitals.”