NDP: SHA warnings demand urgent action

For immediate release: October 8, 2021

SASKATOON - Today, Official Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and Health Critic Vicki Mowat urged Premier Moe and the Sask. Party government to follow the advice given by the medical community on gathering limits and finally request federal help in light of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s transition to triaging of lifesaving care.

“It’s beyond belief the premier has not yet made a formal request to the federal government to support our frontline health workers. The SHA is telling doctors people will die because they don’t have any more capacity left,” said Meili. “For Scott Moe to have not just picked up the phone and asked for health workers is beyond negligent, it’s inviting disaster.”

Yesterday’s Saskatchewan Health Authority Physician Town Hall was explicit on the crisis the province currently faces and steps needing to be taken:

“Restrictions in personal and public gathering sizes are needed once again”
The inpatient capacity for COVID-19 patients is equivalent to Swift Current, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw hospitals combined.
Anticipated impacts include “substandard care for those in critical need and/or at risk of death” and “increased preventable deaths”.
“Thanksgiving gatherings will only add fuel to the fire”.

“Saskatchewan leads the nation in case and death rates, and we continue to see a government sitting on their hands even though lives are at stake. Our health system continues to head towards disaster -- if now isn’t the time to act, when is it?” said Mowat. “We’re already entering our fall and winter of misery; we need critical action now before we reach the point of no return.”

Saskatchewan New Democrats are calling for:

A return to indoor gathering limits for both public and private events until cases and hospitalizations stabilize.
Urgent request to the federal government to assist in expanding health system capacity.
Clear guidance on the SHA’s role interacting with the new Disaster Response Team.

-30-

Latest posts

CARLA BECK'S TEAM STANDS WITH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO RAISE ALARMS ON SKY-HIGH TUITION COSTS IN SASKATCHEWAN

Undergraduate Students In Saskatchewan Are Paying The Second-Highest Tuition Canada
REGINA – Today, as a new post-secondary school year begins, Carla Beck's team is standing alongside students to call out the extreme cost of tuition in Saskatchewan after 20 years of this Sask. Party mismanagement and failure to fund post-secondary.

SCOTT MOE HIDES STATE OF SCHOOLS FROM PRINCE ALBERT FAMILIES

Carla Beck’s Team Calls On Local MLAs To Stand Up To Premier, Education Minister & Demand Answers

PRINCE ALBERT— As Scott Moe and his Education Minister stand behind a decision to completely withhold information on the state of Saskatchewan schools, Carla Beck’s team is calling out Sask. Party MLAs in Prince Albert to demand transparency for the families they were elected to represent.

160 BLANK PAGES: IGNORANT SASK. PARTY HIDES INFORMATION ON STATE OF CRUMBLING SCHOOLS

Wednesday Marks First Day Of School For Many Saskatchewan Students

SASKATOON — Saskatchewan families and school divisions deserve answers about the condition of their schools, but the Sask. Party government has once again chosen secrecy over transparency, returning 160 blank pages in response to a Freedom of Information request seeking information about the state of school buildings across Saskatchewan.

EVEN AFTER GETTING CAUGHT WASTING TENS OF BILLIONS WITH NO OVERSIGHT, SCOTT MOE PLOWS AHEAD WITH COAL CATSTROPHE

Sask. Party Awards Contracts To Two Out-Of-Province Companies Even In Face Of Massive Costs For Consumers, Widespread Pushback
REGINA – Despite an avalanche of public outrage against Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison's coal catastrophe, the Sask. Party government is pressing ahead. While every independent report, and their own appointed Rate Review Panel, have made clear that their coal plan is the most expensive and highest risk option, Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison are ploughing ahead.

NDP Caucus Office