For immediate release: April 30, 2025
REGINA – At a press conference ahead of Question Period Wednesday, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Rural and Remote Health, Meara Conway, announced her intention to bring forward an emergency motion that would put an end to the Sask. Party government’s dangerous practice of replacing emergency room doctors with webcams in life-threatening situations.
Under the Sask. Party’s so-called Virtual Physician Program, in-person care is being quietly phased out in rural emergency rooms. As of today, nearly “30 communities” have seen their ERs go partially “virtual,” with no clear timelines to restore 24/7 in-person services.
“Webcams are not emergency room doctors,” Conway said. “And in too many situations, there is no substitute for seeing a doctor in person. No parent with a sick kid should be left wondering if a glitchy video call is all they get.
“Virtual family doctor appointments are one thing. But trying to treat heart attacks, sick kids, broken bones, or assess a woman in active labour through a webcam? That’s a whole new kind of ludicrous.”
Sask. Party Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill defended the program in Question Period yesterday, saying that he’s “very proud of the virtual physician program.”
“I find it hard to believe that the Health Minister’s colleagues on the backbench are fine with the Sask. Party potentially phasing out their emergency rooms,” said Conway.
“This program is potentially dangerous. We need a plan to phase it out, not ramp it up. That’s why I’m introducing this emergency motion to ensure all members of the Assembly can take a stand on the future of their hospitals and their communities.”
Conway called on all members of the Legislature to support the motion and demand changes to improve Saskatchewan healthcare, including by releasing a plan to phase out the virtual emergency program altogether.
“We’re focused on the future and that means quality healthcare in Saskatchewan for every person, when and where they need it.”
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