NDP Leader Ryan Meili raised questions today about a memo from the Saskatchewan Health Authority instructing frontline workers not to speak publicly about problems in health care in response to “a number of instances of challenging that have not met communication standards.”
The memo, obtained through an FOI request, instructed Saskatchewan doctors to stop advocating for patients or even communicating with their licensing body without SHA approval, and to edit controversial issues from meeting minutes “if you do not want to see it in the newspaper.”
“For months we’ve heard concerns from frontline health care workers that conditions in our hospitals are letting people down, but they are afraid to speak publicly,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Now we know why — the government is actively discouraging health care workers from advocating for patients.”
According to the memo, “Physician leaders have communicated directly with external agencies [including the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan]… This has led to discordant messaging.”
“Advocating for patients is at the heart of a doctor’s work,” said Meili. “Once again, we see this government putting their political interests ahead of the people of this province, this time by telling doctors and nurses not to advocate for their patients.”
The memo was dated September 24, 2019, one month after the SHA issued, and then withdrew, a tender for a snitch hotline to facilitate public complaints about frontline health care workers.
“Coming in the midst of understaffing and ‘extreme overcapacity’ in ERs, this memo is an insult to the frontline health care workers who are holding the system together. We're calling on the Premier today to state unequivocally that frontline health care workers are the solution to problems in our health care, and should be listened to, not silenced.
“Scott Moe is letting people down. He needs to make clear that health care workers can and must continue to advocate for patients and for the resources they need to do their jobs.”
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.