People Experience Medical Emergency Forced To Spend An Additional Hour On Highway In Search Of Care
WATROUS – The latest bulletin indicates the emergency room at Watrous Hospital is closed as of this morning for two full days as the Sask. Party continues to fail to deliver healthcare to residents of the area and right across the province.
The hospital has posted more than 20 service closures this year — the majority involving the emergency room — with the one beginning Tuesday morning likely the longest yet. People with a medical emergency are being redirected to Humboldt Hospital, nearly an hour away, or the Royal University Hospital or St. Paul Hospital in Saskatoon — both of which are more than an hour away.
With no consistent communication from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Town of Watrous has resorted to posting emergency room updates on Facebook to keep the community informed.
“Two full days and no emergency room — that’s horrific and dangerous,” said Keith Jorgenson, Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Minister for Health. “We have been calling for weeks for a plan to restore healthcare in Watrous and the Sask. Party hasn’t done a damn thing.
“Under the Sask. Party, the people of Watrous and area need to check Facebook in the event of an emergency to know where they should go to. If a person isn’t on Facebook they have to show up to the hospital only to find a piece of paper on the door informing them to look for emergency services elsewhere
“People experiencing a medical emergency can’t afford the confusion of guessing where to turn for healthcare and they certainly can’t afford another hour racing down the highway.”
The Saskatchewan NDP continues to demand an urgent plan to restore 24/7 healthcare at the Watrous Hospital emergency room.
“Healthcare in Saskatchewan is in last place because the Sask. Party put it there,” said Jared Clarke, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Rural & Remote Health.
“We need a government that acknowledges the crisis and that collaborates with frontline healthcare to develop a plan that is sustainable and ensures every person in Saskatchewan has access to healthcare when and where they need it.”
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