Health care services to resume in phases, Sask. Health Authority says

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has announced a plan to phase health care services back in, beginning on May 19.

The SHA’s Service Resumption Plan shows services will return in four phases. SHA says implementation of these phases will look different across the province. Only the initial phase has an assigned start date, as following phases will be based on constantly assessing variable factors.

As of May 3rd, the province’s effective reproductive number was 0.97, meaning the average infected person in the province will infect fewer than one other person.

This number is up from 0.7, the effective reproductive number reported by the SHA one week ago.

Officials are concerned that this number is rising, and monitoring it accordingly.

Phase one, May 19: Resumption of some health services and expansion of surgeries, diagnostic imaging

“When people don't get everyday healthcare, their conditions escalate,” SHA CEO Scott Livingstone said. “That’s why we need a plan in place to ensure people get what they need.”

The SHA explained that staff from suspended services have been redirected to help with efforts related to COVID-19. Health officials explained that as services begin to resume, they will have to balance this with continuing the fight against COVID-19.

Phase two, TBA: Specialty clinics

Phase three, TBA: Further expansion of health services

This phase includes resumption of:

Phase four, TBA: Full resumption of services

This phase includes:

The SHA says patients will be contacted directly about services directly impacting them.

The SHA limited elective surgeries, procedures and diagnostics on March 23.