SCOTT MOE CONTINUES CONSTANT FAILURE TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE IN SASKATCHEWAN, SHUTS DOWN MEDICAL LAB SERVICES OVER MAY LONG WEEKEND

Closures And Reduced Health Facility Hours Becoming A Constant Problem After 20 Years Of Sask. Party
SASKATOON – Medical lab services were seemingly shuttered over the May long weekend across Saskatchewan, robbing patients of critical access to healthcare and putting further strain on overrun emergency rooms.

Carla Beck’s team became aware of the closures when Associate Health Shadow Minister Keith Jorgenson himself was referred for some urgent blood tests.

On Friday, Jorgenson’s doctor ordered urgent blood tests. When he went to have tests performed, he learned that all LifeLabs locations were closed for the duration of the long weekend — people answering phone lines on the 811 healthcare service said they had only just learned of the closures. A sign on the door of one location said “all LifeLabs locations will be closed Saturday May 16th.”

“Chaos stacked on top of horrible mismanagement stacked on Sask. Party incompetence and failure — and, all the while, it’s Saskatchewan people needing healthcare caught in the crossfire,” Jorgenson said. “This was my very frustrating and scary interaction with the healthcare system, but I know I'm far from alone. This is the reality playing out on the frontlines of emergency rooms, clinics and on the streets of our communities day in and day out after 20 years of the Sask. Party.”

Jorgenson questioned why there would be no public notification.

“Again, this is a Sask. Party-run Saskatchewan Health Authority that conceals and covers up the truth because they don’t want to take the political hit for their unprecedented failures,” Jorgenson said. “The first step in fixing a problem is admitting you have one — Scott Moe and Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill aren’t even capable of that.

“They play disgusting political games and people get hurt as a result.”

Jorgenson said patients requiring urgent lab tests were being directed to emergency rooms, adding to the constant logjam that has seen patients crammed into hallways and routinely receiving care in reception areas in Saskatoon hospitals.

“This isn’t healthcare anymore — it’s survival,” Jorgenson said. “That’s what people on the frontlines tell us. It’s about getting through the day and doing what you can to treat patients in unimaginable circumstances.

“Clearly, Scott Moe and the Sask. Party have stopped trying. They broke healthcare and can’t be trusted to fix it. It’s time for change.”

Carla Beck’s team will soon release an update on its Your Care, Your Say project, which is developing ideas for big, bold change to take Saskatchewan healthcare back to being the best in Canada. People can get involved at YourCareYourSay.ca.

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