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The Saskatchewan NDP are calling on the Saskatchewan Government for an immediate investigation and plan with regards to increasing closures involving the Watrous Hospital.
Following the hospital’s two-day closure earlier this week (click here for more), emergency services weren’t available once again on Wednesday after they reopened for 16 hours. Then on Thursday, they were closed for 24 hours after they were available for eight hours.
Saskatchewan NDP Associate Shadow Health Minister Keith Jorgenson issued concerns in a press release.
“Somebody is going to die,” he said. “The Sask. Party is playing a dangerous game, forcing people experiencing a medical emergency to take their chances that they will arrive in a brief window when this hospital is actually ready to care for them. People turned away are forced back onto the highway, during an emergency, and have to drive nearly an hour to the next closest hospital.”
Jorgenson added, “None of this is acceptable.”
When emergency services are closed, residents are forced to either travel to Humboldt or Saskatoon.
Jorgenson wants to see the investigation launched by the Minister of Health.
“How can he claim to be doing his job when he hasn’t even addressed this crisis? Either step up and fix this crisis now or resign — people deserve healthcare that’s there when and where they need it."
“Medical emergencies in Watrous aren’t going to wait until the Minister shows up to work.”
Notices have also been posted that outpatient x-ray services will be disrupted between July 4-7.