Last Tuesday marked the return of the legislative session in Regina. The session will meet for 25 days before the legislature wraps up and MLAs get ready for a spring provincial election in 2016.
The first week back saw health care issues dominate the agenda. The opposition New Democrats roasted the government on waiting times in ER rooms. They highlighted what happened to Michael Line, a 45 year old with a history of heart trouble who died after a three-and-a-half hour wait for treatment in the ER.
Opposition leader Cam Broten raised the issue in question period Tuesday and here is that exchange as documented in Hansard.
Mr. Broten: — “Michael Line waited three and a half hours. That’s about the average wait in Saskatchewan now from when someone arrives in an ER to when they finally see a doctor — almost three and a half hours. A few years ago the average wait was one hour and 42 minutes. So the average wait doubled.
“At the Regina General Hospital, the average wait to be assessed in the ER is even worse. It’s almost four and a half hours. And we’re hearing more and more about the horrific consequences of those long ER waits, including Michael Line’s premature death. ER wait times are a huge problem. So can the Premier, can the Premier please explain why he walked away from his ER wait time commitment?”
Premier Brad Wall responded.
Hon. Mr. Wall: — “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not walked away from that commitment. Mr. Speaker, the government noted the challenges around wait times in the ER years ago and we have confirmed our commitment to shorten those wait times.
“… This remains an ongoing priority for the government, the issue of wait times in emergency, Mr. Speaker. And health regions are taking different approaches to trying to meet the need and solve the problem and meet the objective that we have that there oughtn’t to be any wait times, frankly, for emergencies, by definition. Mr. Speaker, we’re going to continue that work. We’re going to continue to work with the regions, with health care professionals to provide that kind of emergency care to Saskatchewan people.”
The Speaker: — “I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.”
Mr. Broten: — “Mr. Speaker, the Premier should read the annual report from the Ministry of Health and he will see that the commitment will not be met. With a lot of fanfare, Mr. Speaker, a lot of fanfare, the Premier repeatedly announced over the last four years that his government would eliminate ER waits by 2017. But the Ministry of Health documents show the Premier has now walked away from that goal, walked away from that goal because it’s too hard.
“Now I agree that the target was ambitious, and I think most Saskatchewan people would not be upset if the government fell a bit short of that target as long, as long, Mr. Speaker, as it was making significant progress. But that’s not happening. Speak to any patient who’s visited an ER in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker, will know this government is not making progress. The government’s own documents say ER waits have not substantially improved.
“My question to the Premier: why has there been almost no progress towards achieving his commitment?”
The Speaker: — “I recognize the Premier.”
Hon. Mr. Wall: — “Well, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to have to again correct the record after the member has incorrectly portrayed the intentions of the government. This government — my office, myself, the government, the ministers — have never nor will they walk away from a goal that has been set, Mr. Speaker. That’s why there’s an additional $4.7 million in this year’s budget. That’s why we’ve increased the complement of health care professionals and doctors significantly over the last number of years. That’s why we’re working through systems, including ER room management in the case of Cypress Hills, to deliver on the goals of the government.”
Wednesday the opposition again raised health care as an issue and highlighted the plight of four-year-old Kayden Kot, who is in need of a treatment that so far is not being fully funded by the province. His next round of treatment at Star Center in Denver, Colo. was estimated at over $14,000.
Opposition leader Broten raised that in question period and the back and forth on Kayden’s plight went on for several minutes.
Mr. Broten: — “His mom, Sylvie, reached out to me and this is what she had to say, ‘It is with great frustration, lengthy wait lists and a continued failure within our health care system that I feel the importance that Kayden’s story be told.’
“Mr. Speaker, Sylvie and Peter have dealt with the health minister’s office for a long time and they’ve gotten nowhere. So will the Premier agree to meet with Sylvie and Peter today so he can hear first-hand how the government is still letting little Kayden down?”
The Speaker: — “I recognize the Premier.”
Hon. Mr. Wall: — “Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question, and I thank the Kot family for joining us here today. Certainly as a parent it’s easy to sympathize with what they must be going through with respect to the amount of out-of-province care that has been required for Kayden and still obviously with more care that is needed.
… Mr. Speaker, we know that there has been support from the government for some out-of-province care. There have been some applications for additional care that have gone through the out-of-province approval process that we’ve set up, Mr. Speaker, a process that we’ve sought to improve since the 2007 election by adding an appeal function for those that wish to appeal the decision by the group.
“Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister of Health will certainly be happy to meet with the family again here today to talk about what might be able to be done further. Mr. Speaker, I understand that some of this is still in process, and we are very much aware of the challenges the Kot family is facing. I would also note, Mr. Speaker, that I believe officials within the system have sought to ensure that some of the treatment that is required can be actually delivered here in the province of Saskatchewan.”
Legislation was also before the legislature during the week. Debate took place Tuesday and Wednesday on second reading of the MRI Facilities Licensing Act, a holdover from the spring sitting of the legislature. A motion from Sask. Party MLA Fred Bradshaw in support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership was also debated Thursday, as was second reading for The Respect for Diversity - Student Bill of Rights Act 2015, a bill moved by opposition member David Forbes.
