Sask. Party’s shuttered hospitals endangering mothers and babies

MEADOW LAKE - Today, Official Opposition Status of Women Critic Jennifer Bowes and Opposition Health Critic Vicki Mowat called on the government to immediately address chronic disruptions to vital mother-baby services across Saskatchewan.

“In the last year alone, labouring mothers have been turned away from hospitals in Yorkton, Swift Current, Estevan and Meadow Lake and forced to drive hours to deliver because of disruptions to obstetric and anesthetic services,” said Bowes. “This is unacceptable and extremely dangerous for both mother and baby. The Sask. Party has ignored and neglected women’s maternal and sexual health issues for far too long.”

Bowes and Mowat were joined by Kendal Carlberg outside the Meadow Lake Hospital as she recounted her traumatic experience delivering her child. In March 2021, Kendal was turned away from the hospital due to staffing shortages and forced to travel to Lloydminster to deliver her baby. She delivered on the side of the road with the help of her partner and a paramedic. The Meadow Lake Hospital provides services to the community as well as surrounding Indigenous and Northern communities.

“The Saskatchewan Government needs to address the systemic collapse of the healthcare system,” said Kendal. “Our professionals are overworked and our people are underserviced. This crisis is especially pronounced in our Northern and rural communities.”

“Kendal is just one of many women who have been affected by chronic disruptions to obstetrical and anesthesia care across Saskatchewan,” said Mowat. “Saskatchewan has a terrible record for retaining OB’s and anesthesiologists - 20% and 50%, respectively. Just as bad, we have a government that lacks any curiosity to get to the bottom of why that is.”

“The Health Minister hasn’t shown his face at a public press conference since May. Enough is enough. Summer’s over, and it’s time to come back to work,” said Mowat.

-30-

Latest posts

SHADOW MINISTER OF FORESTRY JORDAN MCPHAIL RESPONDS TO THE CURTAILMENT OF THE BIG RIVER SAWMILL

My thoughts are with the 117 workers and their families who will be impacted by this decision.

These are families being thrown into financial anxiety, because of the total mismanagement of Saskatchewan's forestry industry by Scott Moe and the Sask. Party.

From refusing to assist the forest sector when it comes to Donald Trump's tariffs, to allowing disease, insects, and wildfires to devastate forests and destroy investment, it’s clear that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party don't view our forests as assets worth managing.

Our team has made a number of calls to support the forest sector, including allowing dues free salvage of the burned areas to aid reforestation, to focusing on replanting to show a commitment to growth.

Carla Beck’s team has listened to the industry and community stakeholders for the forest sector, and are working to support them to protect the good jobs and communities that rely on them.

The Sask. Party has failed the forest sector, workers and communities for nearly two decades, and now 117 workers in Prince Albert are facing the consequences.

It’s time for change.

-30-

SASK. PARTY TELLS APPLYING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS THERE IS ‘NO NEED’ WHILE FAMILIES WAIT YEARS FOR A SPACE

Scott Moe’s Sask. Party Breaks Promise Of Childcare Access For Families
SASKATOON – Carla Beck's team is calling on Scott Moe to explain why prospective childcare providers are being denied licenses after receiving letters stating that the government believes there is "no need" for additional childcare spaces — even as families across the province remain on waitlists for months and, in many cases, years.

AS THOUSANDS DEMAND ANSWERS, CARLA BECK’S TEAM PLANS OPEN HOUSE TO HEAR CONCERNS ON MOOSE JAW-AREA AI DATA CENTRE

Power Usage, Data Security, Environmental Impact Among Common Concerns

MOOSE JAW – Carla Beck is in Moose Jaw today to personally invite people deeply concerned about a proposed AI data centre at Moose Jaw’s Valley View site to an open house next month to voice their concerns and talk about what her team intends to do to get answers.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM LAUNCHES TOUR FOCUSED ON KEEPING RURAL EMERGENCY ROOMS OPEN, BEING TRANSPARENT WHEN THEY’RE NOT

Summer Tour Comes As Part Of Ongoing Your Care, Your Say Project
BALGONIE – Carla Beck's team will be hitting the road this summer to talk to people in dozens of rural Saskatchewan communities about the need to deliver big, bold change in healthcare to keep hospital emergency rooms open — and to, at least, provide lifesaving information when they’re closed.

NDP Caucus Office