Emergency services have resumed at the La Ronge Health Centre after the facility was temporarily closed due to a mandatory evacuation prompted by nearby wildfires.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) confirmed the emergency department reopened at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Other services, including acute and long-term care, are expected to return in the coming days.
“It was important to us to ensure residents had access to emergency health care services as they returned to the community,” said Bryan Witt, vice-president of provincial clinical and support services for the SHA. “Our teams arrived on Tuesday morning, and everyone pitched in so we could get the job done. Refrigerators and freezers were emptied and restocked; equipment was diagnosed and recalibrated; and the whole facility was cleaned top to bottom, from linens to air filters."
“The emergency department is open just two days later and ready to serve the community thanks to such great teamwork.”
Inpatient services will be available starting Friday, June 13, with other supports such as ambulance service, home care and detox operating over the weekend. Beginning Monday, June 16, the health authority will begin transferring acute care patients and long-term care residents back to La Ronge.
Mental health support will also be accessible in the community starting Monday. Anyone in need can also call HealthLine 811 for assistance.
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The SHA said it has been working with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Canadian Red Cross, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, La Ronge EMS and Northern Medical Services to ensure the facility could safely reopen.
The La Ronge Medical Clinic will continue offering virtual primary care appointments on Monday and Tuesday, with urgent in-person visits available both afternoons. Regular in-person appointments will resume Wednesday, June 18. Clinics in Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon are operating as scheduled.
SHA employees and physicians impacted by the evacuation are being provided with support as they return to work and to their homes.
“Thank you to SHA staff and physicians across the province who provided care and supported evacuees and displaced co-workers during this stressful time. You have lived our values, caring for each other and the communities and residents we serve,” said Derek Miller, chief operating officer for the SHA.
“We also once again say thank-you to all the emergency responders, First Nations partners, supporting agencies and volunteers who helped us to evacuate patients and residents as wildfires surrounded the community and who have now helped us re-open services. We are grateful for everyone’s support.”