Sask. Health Authority responds to Saskatoon hospital capacity concerns

Saskatoon City Hospital.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is pushing back against concerns raised by the Saskatchewan NDP regarding hospital capacity pressures in Saskatoon, following a weekend that saw facilities shift to “bypass” status.

The issue was brought forward in the legislature by NDP MLA Meara Conway, who questioned what happens when hospitals in Saskatoon enter bypass.

“Yesterday at 6:10 a.m., the status of Saskatoon hospitals was changed from normal to bypass … So what happens when a hospital, let alone hospitals, go on bypass?” she asked during question period.

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“Bypass” refers to a system used when hospitals face capacity challenges, particularly in critical care. In those cases, patients from outside Saskatoon who require intensive care unit (ICU) beds may be redirected to other centres.

However, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill rejected the suggestion that hospitals were closed or unable to treat patients.

“At no point over the weekend were all Saskatoon hospitals on bypass or closed to patients,” Cockrill said.

“All emergency departments were open and accepting patients, and we’re not aware of any patients being turned away.”

The SHA echoed that message during a virtual news conference Monday afternoon, emphasizing that emergency departments across Saskatoon remained fully operational.

SHA Chief Operating Officer, Derek Miller said it’s important the public understands what bypass actually means.

“Bypass is a tool that allows us to manage capacity safely across the province. It does not mean services are closed, and it does not mean patients are denied care,” Miller said.

While emergency departments continued to accept patients, the SHA confirmed that some critical care patients from outside the city could have been redirected elsewhere during peak pressure periods.

Cockrill also expressed concern that misunderstandings about bypass status could erode public confidence in the health-care system.

“It’s disappointing to see information misinterpreted in a way that I think affects patients’ trust in the system,” he said.

The health authority says it continues to closely monitor hospital capacity levels and will adjust as needed to ensure patient care remains accessible and safe.