Reduced hours at Saskatoon City Hospital’s emergency room have been extended for the third week in a row.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced the extension — now running until March 9 — in a news release late Friday afternoon.
City Hospital’s emergency department is normally open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Since at least Feb.15, the department has been closing over two hours earlier.
In a statement to CTV News, the SHA said it works with staff and physicians to schedule services in the city’s three emergency rooms “as a whole.”
Due to a shortage of doctors the SHA described as “short-term,” one physician was shifted from City Hospital to one of the city’s busier emergency departments.
“Over the last two weeks, a short-term physician availability has resulted in the SHA redeploying one physician from Saskatoon City Hospital Emergency Department (ED) to ensure a full complement across the other two ERs and minimize the impact on patient access.”
The reduction in hours means more patients will be diverted to the emergency rooms at St. Paul’s and Royal University hospitals — both already operating beyond capacity, based on persistent complaints from staff and patients.
“The SHA understands that residents are concerned when health care services are temporarily disrupted,” the provincial health administration told CTC News in its statement.
“The SHA is working closely with emergency physicians and collaborating with the Ministry of Health on immediate and long-term solutions.”
Anyone with non-emergency medical issues should visit a walk-in clinic or call HealthLine 811, the SHA says.
Pharmacists are also able to diagnose and prescribe medications for some minor ailments.
