Saskatchewan’s Opposition New Democrats introduced a motion designed to move rural hospitals and health care facilities away from the virtual physician practice, which the NDP calls dangerous.
At a press conference before entering question period on Wednesday, April 30, Shadow Minister for Remote and Rural Health Meara Conway stated she would bring forward an emergency motion to steer away from the practice of having emergency rooms manned by remote doctors as opposed to in-house professionals. A statement released by the NDP notes nearly 30 communities have gone virtual with no timeline as to when on-site personnel would be restored.
“Webcams are not emergency room doctors,” Conway said. “And in too many situations, there is no substitute for seeing a doctor in person. No parent with a sick kid should be left wondering if a glitchy video call is all they get.
Virtual family doctor appointments are one thing. But trying to treat heart attacks, sick kids, broken bones, or assess a woman in active labour through a webcam? That’s a whole new kind of ludicrous.”
Following question period, Conway reacted to Sask Party Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill’s assertion that he is “very proud of the virtual physician program.”
“I find it hard to believe that the Health Minister’s colleagues on the backbench are fine with the Sask. Party potentially phasing out their emergency rooms,” said Conway. “This program is potentially dangerous. We need a plan to phase it out, not ramp it up. That’s why I’m introducing this emergency motion to ensure all members of the Assembly can take a stand on the future of their hospitals and their communities.”
Conway called on all members of the Legislature to support the motion and demand changes to improve Saskatchewan healthcare, including by releasing a plan to phase out the virtual emergency room program altogether.
“We’re focused on the future and that means quality healthcare in Saskatchewan for every person, when and where they need it.”