According to CUPE Local 5430, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is cutting microbiology testing at the Yorkton lab and starting this Sunday, samples from Yorkton and area will be sent to Regina for processing.
“Our Microbiology lab diagnoses critical illnesses such as staph infections, sepsis, meningitis, and post-op infections. The range of tests the government is cutting include microbial organism identification and sensitivity reporting, which is used to identify which treatment options should be given to patients to effectively counter infections,” said Linda Renkas, Regional Vice-President, CUPE 5430 in a news release.
“If treatment or diagnosis is delayed, the consequences can be life threatening.”
In the same news release, President of CUPE 5430, Sandra Seitz says staff at the Regina lab are already experiencing workload issues, especially with increased demand due to COVID-19.
Seitz also says “Lab staff in Yorkton have the skills, expertise and the know-how to get tests processed in a timely manner.”
“It is clear that the SHA has been making decisions without fully thinking through the impacts on worker’s and our communities.” Seitz added.
Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley wasn’t aware of CUPE’s news release, but did say he is aware of the staff shortage at the hospital and is working to rectify it through recruitment and retention.
“It’s one of the most sought-after areas in terms of medical professions and in healthcare workers,” Hindley said of the high demand for lab technicians across the country, adding this challenge of recruiting is not unique to just Saskatchewan, but also across Canada.
“It would be great if we can solve this all overnight but the fact of the matter is that there’s a demand for these kinds of workers across Canada right now.”
Hindley says he will be having additional talks with SHA officials and Ministry officials on this next week.
The Saskatchewan NDP Health Critic says they have been raising concerns about the shortage in lab techs across the province for the last 5 years.
Vicki Mowat says its unacceptable to see multiple service disruptions across rural Saskatchewan in those 5 years.
“And we have called on the government to create a plan for recruiting and retention and training and, as of yet, they have fallen short of creating that plan, so what we’re seeing today is a result of those failures.” said Mowat.
Other concerns Mowat has been hearing include job losses and potential delays as a result of only one courier that delivers samples from Yorkton to Regina.
Mowat explained if there is inclement weather, the courier isn’t available or if a sample misses the cut off time before delivery, it can cause significant delays.
Mowat also says it makes no sense to be cutting lab services in the middle of a pandemic.