‘Worse than bank hours’: Saskatchewan NDP slams Regina urgent care centre access

Regina’s Urgent Care Centre was in the crosshairs Monday, as the Sask. NDP highlighted staffing issues. Wayne Mantyka reports.

The Regina Urgent Care Centre is approaching its two-year mark, but it has yet to meet its original operating targets — including consistent extended hours for patients.

According to the Saskatchewan NDP, the facility continues to struggle with staffing shortages, limiting its ability to remain open beyond the late afternoon.

NDP MLA Meara Conway criticized the situation during question period Monday, saying the centre struggles to stay open past 4:00 p.m. most days, characterizing the lack of access as “worse than bank hours.”

Conway also pointed to a recent milestone she described as “dubious,” noting the centre has reduced its hours for ten consecutive weekends due to staffing issues.

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The provincial government acknowledged the staffing challenges but said adjustments have been made to better allocate health care resources.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said while the centre was initially intended to operate 24/7, data shows overnight staffing is better utilized at Regina’s two major hospitals.

“Reviewing the data and looking at what the system needs are, it’s a better use of resources to have those overnight staff available at Regina General and Regina Pasqua,” Cockrill said.

Meanwhile, legislation currently before the Saskatchewan legislature aims to improve transparency around emergency room disruptions by providing real-time online updates.

While the bill is expected to pass, there are suggestions it could be expanded to include urgent care centre hours as well.