SASKATCHEWAN NDP INTRODUCES BILL TO FORCE MINISTER TO STOP HIDING TRUE STATE OF RURAL HEALTHCARE

Virtual Physicians, Horrifying One-Nurse Policy All Designed to Cover For 18 Years of Sask. Party Failures
REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is introducing new legislation that would require the Health Minister to publicly report where there is no physician physically onsite at an “open” Saskatchewan emergency room.

Bill 610, The Provincial Health Authority (ER Virtual Physician right-to-know) Amendment Act, would come into effect immediately and require the Saskatchewan Health Authority to publish a daily update of the ER operating with only a virtual physician available, rather than a physical one.
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“We know there are times when a virtual physician makes sense and can provide quality healthcare; however, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) says that’s only in about 10 per cent of emergency room cases,” said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP Deputy Shadow Health Minister.
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“We believe people deserve critical information when they’re experiencing a medical emergency — and that includes whether there is actually a physician at the nearest hospital when they arrive. For some patients, minutes, even seconds, can make the difference between whether they live or die, so transparency and public accountability are critical.”
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“If people can visit the highway hotline and see in real time a snow plow moving down the highway then they should be able to see in real time if an “open” rural ER has a doctor.”
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For months, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill has downplayed the state of rural healthcare and pointed to the “virtual care” program as justification for inadequate staffing inside rural Saskatchewan hospitals.
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Tensions boiled over between frontline workers and the Minister recently when an Oct. 29 memo surfaced that made it clear hospitals would be forced to stay open if there was just a single registered nurse onsite.
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“The state of healthcare in Saskatchewan has never been worse after 18 years of the Sask. Party,” said Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Health Minister.
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“It’s time for big, bold change. It’s time for Saskatchewan to get back to leading the nation in healthcare. This is the birthplace of Medicare, after all.”
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The Saskatchewan NDP is continuing public consultation on big, bold change in healthcare. You can get involved at YourCareYourSay.ca
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