Rural ER shutdowns spark NDP criticism of SHA communication

NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson holds up rural ER closure notices. (Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling out the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) for misdirecting patients between two rural emergency room closures.

The ER in the town of Kipling was closed on Oct. 9 during the Thanksgiving long weekend, with a notice on the hospital door redirected people seeking emergency care to the ER in the town of Arcola, which was also closed.

NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson had some strong words to describe the SHA’s decision.

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“Somebody is going to get killed,” Jorgenson told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday. “These are emergency rooms. You can’t just throw up a ‘We’ll be back soon’ sign and call it a day.”

The NDP says this is the fifth time this summer such misdirection has occurred, putting Saskatchewan residents at risk.

They pointed to a recent example involving a patient in the town of Kennedy who needed emergency care.

“You drive 24 kilometres to your closest hospital, which is in Kipling, you show up at the hospital, you see a simple note on the door that directs you to go another 54 kilometers to Arcola,” Jorgenson said.

“Then when you get to Arcola, there is another note on another closed ER door that directs you to go a further 100 kilometers to either Weyburn or Estevan.”

In a statement to CTV News, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) said it is committed to providing “seamless care as close to home as possible” and ensuring patients and families have accurate information about accessing emergency care in their communities.

The health authority added that it does have plans to review its reporting processes and look for ways to improve both internal and external communication.

“We are working with SHA teams across the province to improve communication with communities and better serve our rural and remote patients,” the statement said.

The Saskatchewan NDP is proposing legislation this fall that would require formal public notice of all ER closures, citing a recent surge in rural shutdowns.