Recently released long-term care reports show that the Sask. Party continues to fail seniors and residents in Saskatchewan’s long term care facilities. Staffing was identified as an issue in nearly every single health region as Sask. Party cuts have resulted in too few staff in facilities, who are being forced to take on too much.
“These reports are saying the same thing that we’ve been hearing from seniors and their families over and over again; long-term care in Saskatchewan is dangerously understaffed and our parents and grand-parents – the women and men who helped build this province – are not getting the care they need and deserve to stay healthy and live with dignity," said NDP Health Critic Danielle Chartier. "Health care workers want the best for residents in their care and are working hard for them, but the reality is that they are being run off their feet. Sask. Party cuts have made it impossible to properly staff long-term care facilities, and both residents and health care workers are left paying the price."
According to the reports, "families are concerned about staffing levels and believe we do not have enough staff" and in several cases, families have even had to resort to staying overnight at facilities to help care for their loves ones. The situation is set to worsen as the Sask. Party continues to try to force their mandated 3.5 per cent cut to workers in health care. In addition to the cuts, the Sask. Party has also hiked the fees for long-term care facilities by up to $600 a month.
“Seniors' care is in crisis and the Sask. Party is still cutting deeper and charging families more,” Chartier said. “The Sask. Party is forcing seniors to pay more but get less. It’s not fair and it’s not justifiable."
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.