Recent resignations and a lack of nurses and lab services has forced the Kamsack Hospital to reduce its emergency services until further notice. Minister of Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley toured the facility on Thursday along with MLA for Canora-Pelly, Terry Dennis and senior leaders from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Hindley notes that the province is trying to recruit new healthcare workers for all areas of the province, with incentives announced in the budget and have enhanced some of the training seats. He wonders if hiring more nurse practitioners or expanding their scope of practice might be part of the answer.

Other communities dealing with staffing issues includes Biggar, Maple Creek, Grenfell and Herbert. While the Minister was touring the Kamsack hospital, concerned citizens, CUPE health care workers and the provincial NDP held a rally in the community calling for immediate steps to stop bed closures.