Emergency services resume in Kamsack

Kamsack Hospital will be restoring some of its emergency services on Monday, July 18.

Emergency room and inpatient services at the hospital were interrupted in April due to a shortage of physicians. It was originally anticipated that services might not resume until the fall.

Inpatient services were reestablished in June through arrangements with some local doctors. Now, thanks to the arrival of Dr. Jackie Bucko as a temporary locum, emergency services during the day will be maintained for the next three months, at which point two permanent physicians are scheduled to begin practice.

"Although we've done some struggling, the future is looking a little brighter for us," says Rod Gardner, a member of Kamsack Council and the town's Medical Services Committee.

The loss of vital services sparked outrage in the town of 2,000 people, whose hospital serves a broad rural area. About 75 residents protested outside the health centre on the week of the announcement.

"Obviously people were disappointed. I think medical services are something you take for granted," says Gardner.

Kamsack's Medical Services Committee won't slow down because of the latest reprieve in the town's struggle to find physicians, the councillor adds.

"We're still in the process of recruiting, and we know it's going to be an ongoing thing for years to come. Just because we've got a couple of doctors now, we can't sit down and say our job is finished."

As of July 18, emergency services will be available at the hospital from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week.