Dear Editor
April 24, I attended the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses annual meeting in Regina.
There were 309 nurses. We were excited to hear from Dustin Duncan, minister of health. Mr. Duncan spoke briefly about some budget items. Duncan agreed to take questions - two to be exact. If this government wants people to believe this government is consulting or even interested in the people of this province this was not one of the brighter, "I believe you" moments. Registered psychiatric nurses are at the bedside. Registered psychiatric nurses are client advocates. As a registered psychiatric nurse who has worked in the mental health field for 35 years, I was appalled.
I wanted Duncan to know how disheartening it was to the clients, families, staff and to our community that Saskatchewan Hospital was not a priority, again. In 2006, when planning started for a new facility, it was estimated at under $60 million. Today it is estimated at around $200 million.
When Premier Brad Wall visited SHNB he saw and admitted to the deplorable living conditions our clients did and still live in. Family and staff see these conditions our clients live in on a daily basis. Individuals with mental illness suffer from stigma and discrimination in their everyday lives. Premier Brad Wall said his government is "socially conscious."
During the last few years we hear about how this government promotes and talks patient and family first. In 2011 Premier Wall said, "Our government wants to make sure the patient will come first in this new facility and mental health services across the province," speaking about the then plans for a new SHNB. My questions to Duncan were: When will clients with mental health issues be treated as human beings and have first rate conditions to live in and to receive needed long term psychiatric care? How long do individuals with mental illness in Saskatchewan have to feel they are not a priority to this government? When will individuals living with severe mental illness in Saskatchewan be treated with dignity?
I understand there is work being done, I understand P3s, I understand the idea of a corrections component being considered.
What I don't understand is the years of delay in providing the promise to replace SHNB with a facility that creates a better, more effective environment for therapy and recovery. July 12-14 of 2013 the Saskatchewan hospital will be celebrating 100 years in existence. Clients, families and staff were hoping there would be a sod turning event. But with this government in power it appears to be nothing but a pipe dream.
Glenna Olenick, RPN
North Battleford
