Brad Wall Announces More Steps to Put Patient Care First in Health System
Initiatives for Health Care Ombudsman, Cancer Care, Seniors and Accountability
SASKATOON—Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall today announced further steps a Saskatchewan Party government would take to address the health care crisis in the province. Wall was joined at the announcement by several Saskatchewan people who have not received the treatment they needed due to the NDP’s mismanagement of the health system.
“It’s time to put patients first,” Wall said. “So many patients have fallen through the cracks of our health care system and have had to make their cases public to get the help they need. Steps need to be taken immediately to ensure that Saskatchewan people receive the health care they need in a timely fashion.”
A Saskatchewan Party government would:
• Create a Health Care Ombudsman to provide a clear independent authority for patients to turn to when concerns arise about the health care system;
• Develop a 10-year capital plan for health care with priorities placed on an integrated health sciences facility and a children’s hospital, as well as new emergency equipment including an air ambulance;
• Provide an additional $40 million over four years to strengthen cancer care in important areas such as colorectal screening;
• Initiate a pilot project to provide funding for Level Three and Four beds in personal care homes to reduce waiting times for long-term care beds and free up acute care beds, as well as develop a long-term senior care strategy to meet the health care needs of seniors; and,
• Conduct a Patient First Review of the health care system will ensure that health care dollars are directed toward improving front-line care for patients.
“It’s time to provide patients with an independent voice to ensure people receive the quality care they deserve,” Wall said. “And it’s time to provide health care professionals with the facilities and equipment they need to serve Saskatchewan people.”
“NDP mismanagement of our health care system has left Saskatchewan people with some of the longest waiting lists in Canada and a critical shortage of nurses, doctors and other health care professionals.
“And what’s Lorne Calvert’s answer? A reckless and unsustainable drug plan that will take $725 million out of our health system and won’t solve any of these problems. It’s the wrong prescription for health care.”
The health care initiatives announced today are in addition to the Saskatchewan Party’s announcement in early September which included: adding 800 Registered Nurses (RNs) to improve patient care and improve the nurse to patient ratio; adding 300 registered nurse training seats; bringing the number of physician training seats to 100 (which is comparable to Manitoba); funding 60 additional doctor residency positions in Saskatchewan hospitals; supporting and improving the current bursary program for the recruitment and retention of local health care professionals; establishing a bridging program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become RNs; tracking and publicly reporting vacancies of nurses and doctors; establishing the Premier’s Council on Health Care Work Place Issues; and developing a Patient Exit Survey to measure the quality of a patient’s experience with the health care system within the first term of office.
Background Information
Click here for more information on the Saskatchewan Party's Plan to put patients first.
For more information, Saskatchewan Party, Regina, 359-1638 or 1-800-966-9611