Calls for ambulances going unanswered across Saskatchewan

During first 6 weeks of 2023, SHA didn’t have ambulances available to respond to 216 calls

REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Leader Carla Beck, Health Critic Vicki Mowat, and Rural and Remote Health Critic Matt Love called on Scott Moe’s Sask. Party government to stop downplaying Saskatchewan’s EMS crisis and fix their failed health plan.

“Folks across Saskatchewan can’t get an ambulance when they need it. By sitting on over a billion dollars, Scott Moe wasted a once-in-a-generation chance to lead the national race to hire nurses, doctors and EMS personnel,” said Beck. “His priorities are totally out of whack with what Saskatchewan people need.”

Documents obtained by an Official Opposition freedom of information request show that in the first six weeks of 2023, the SHA did not have an ambulance available to respond to 216 calls. Communities serviced by private ambulances, such as Saskatoon, were not included.

Regina led the way with the highest number of incidents when no ambulance was available, at 49 times. Buffalo Narrows was second, at 24. Meadow Lake, 17. Another 37 communities with SHA ambulances reported at least one instance of ‘No Ambulance Available.’

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan characterized the bump to EMS funding in the provincial budget as “very small,” and doubts it will be enough to address the EMS staffing crisis.

“People with heart-attack symptoms are denied ambulances because this Sask. Party government has failed to support EMS workers who say they’re completely burnt out and considering leaving,” said Mowat.

“At best, Scott Moe is out of touch with the problems in our hospitals - at worst, he’s downplaying the mess he’s made. Whatever the truth, the longer Moe’s in power, the longer folks will wait for care,” said Love.

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