Short-staffing in healthcare has been a long-standing issue in Saskatchewan, which the NDP’s Deputy Leader says has only become more pronounced because of the government’s failure to address it. Nicole Sarauer notes that the pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for healthcare workers, which after almost two years is taking a significant toll on staff. She explains that some have been denied holidays and are being repeatedly called to come to work on days off.

The Official Opposition is calling on the government to sit down with healthcare professionals to create a comprehensive health staffing strategy to retain current staff and implement a plan to persistently recruit new workers.

A news release from CUPE Local 5430, which represents over 13,000 front line health care providers in Saskatchewan, says staffing shortages have an impact on patients and residents. President of Local 5430, Bashir Jalloh, says on top of the slow downs in surgeries, therapies and other services due to COVID-19 redeployment, rural communities are facing temporary closures and shut downs because of recruitment and retention issues. He listed Canora Hospital Emergency Services, Redvers Emergency and Acute Care Services, and Broadview Emergency and Acute Care Services among them.

Jalloh adds that when you look through government health care job postings, of the 1,400 jobs listed, only 180 are permanent full-time positions. He gives the example of 59 postings for medical technicians, of which only 15 are permanent full time.