Leaked email chain reveals frontline health workers, SHA officials “frustrated” with lack of change
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat released a memo from the Regina Fire Inspector. The memo was a “shot across the bow” of Moe’s Health Ministry, warning the Sask. Party government that persistent hallway healthcare in both Regina hospitals is resulting in “serious fire code violations”.
“The health workers who leaked these emails to us say that things have never been so bad in all their years of service,” said Mowat. “Our health system is going in the wrong direction, and Moe and his health ministers seem completely allergic to responsibility.”
The Inspector stated in an emailed memo that beds are crowding the hallways at the Regina General and the Regina Pasqua hospitals - an ongoing issue that has been brought to his attention before.
The ensuing email chain, which frustrated health workers leaked to the Opposition, reveals tensions between SHA officials and frontline healthcare workers on one hand and the Moe government on the other.
One SHA official indicated that health workers at different rungs of the ladder are “frustrated” with the current state of the health system, writing that “systematic action” is needed. Senior SHA officials, according to the email, have “escalated” their concerns.
“Moe and his Sask. Party ministers need to stop pretending that the challenges facing our health system are inevitable,” said Mowat. “We can fix our health system. That starts with supporting our hardworking healthcare workers and saying yes to systemic reform.”
Last month, the Saskatoon Fire Department said that St. Paul’s Hospital was in violation of fire code requirements after beds were found to be crowding hallways and obstructing exit doors. Saskatoon and Regina hospitals were not included in the SHA’s list of 53 hospitals that have experienced service closures under the Moe government.
-30-