The provincial opposition is urging the Sask. Party to do something about Saskatchewan’s healthcare system, as they say this week saw overcrowding and overworked staff at St. Paul’s Hospital.

In an NDP news release, Vicki Mowat, NDP Health critic, says earlier this week, every hospital bed was full at St. Paul’s, so the triage area had to be turned into a makeshift treatment area.

“There are three nurses per shift in triage, taking care of 115 patients per day,” she stated. “That isn’t safe, for patients or for frontline workers.”

Since the beginning of October, Mowat adds that the hospital has been at 200 per cent capacity or more several times, while the Royal University Hospital has been 300 per cent full or more numerous times during the same time period.

The NDP have brought up health care during several Question Periods in the Legislature. On Thursday, NDP Leader Carla Beck asked Premier Scott Moe to apologize to frontline workers and patients and acknowledge that healthcare in Saskatchewan is in crisis.

The NDP news release says he refused to do either.

The healthcare crisis isn’t just evident in the larger centres. The emergency room and acute care at Southwest Integrated Health Facility will be out of service temporarily.

Maple Creek’s hospital will be without the services from December 6 at 7 a.m. until December 8 at 7 p.m.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority noted it’s a recurring disruption at the health care facility from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily for the next three days.

The SHA noted alternative emergency departments are available at Cypress Regional Hospital, Shaunavon Hospital & Care Centre, and Leader & District Integrated Healthcare Facility.

(With files from Swiftcurrentonline.com)