The move by the province towards consolidating the 12 regional health authorities into one province-wide authority has drawn fire from the opposition, as well as the unions.
The province announced the move Wednesday. In response, CUPE has issued a statement expressing “serious concerns” about the impact of the change to a single health authority on workers and patients.
“Health care restructuring will disrupt the established systems and relationships of providing health care in the province,” said Gordon Campbell, president of CUPE Health Care Council, in a statement Wednesday.
“Today’s announcement creates more uncertainty for frontline workers and for rural communities across Saskatchewan. It is also questionable that any cost savings will result.”
CUPE pointed to the experience in Alberta, and to a government report that raised concerns about the larger system.
“We are concerned that one central super board will be less responsive and harder to navigate for patients and communities,” said Campbell.
“Will this lead to reduced services and a loss of decision making in communities, especially in rural communities? What will this mean for access to health care in communities like Preeceville, Wawota or Grenfell that have already been experiencing issues?”
The NDP opposition has also slammed the plan. A news release from the NDP caucus called it the “next phase of their cuts,” and noted communities are already forced to struggle without adequate health care services.
“When the Sask. Party talks about consolidation, everyone knows they mean cuts – cuts to health care centres, cuts to frontline health care workers and cuts to the care Saskatchewan people deserve,” said NDP Health Critic Danielle Chartier in a statement.
“This so-called consultation was rushed and the Sask. Party knew what they wanted to do all along. From the beginning, the Sask. Party has wanted to cut deeper to make up for their own mismanagement, scandal and waste. We did consultations of our own and we didn't hear a single person say that more cuts were the solution.”
