The Saskatchewan Health Authority is trying to bring down wait list times for surgeries, with some success to date. That’s according to CEO Andrew Will, who told the Board of Directors today (Thurs) that they fell behind during the pandemic, but there has since been a significant investment in increasing surgical capacity. That includes expanding the days, working for more hours of the day and also doing surgeries on the weekends, both through SHA staff and from private companies hired by the SHA. Will notes that more orthopedic surgeries were done in 2022 than were targeted, and just over 91 per cent of those waiting for a surgery, waited less than a year.

The CEO also reported on the enhanced pressures in pediatrics because of the increase in respiratory illnesses. Will stated that they were able to find staff from across the province who were brought in as required who could care for the pediatric patients. The peak has since passed and the number of patients has come down a bit.

Community paramedicine programs are expanding across the province. Paramedics with specialized training are able to use those skills in community settings for less urgent situations. Will says this takes pressure off of emergency rooms and allows people to get timely care close to home. Communities which now have this program include Wakaw, Cumberland House, Beauval, Wynyard and Wadena.

The SHA’s CEO touched on mental health and addictions initiatives in his report as well, saying they are working towards implementing 150 to 200 addictions beds, and will achieve that through a Request For Proposals for community-based organizations able to do that work. He expects it should be in place by the end of this month.