The Sun Country board of directors found themselves in a holding pattern on May 25 when they met for a general business session in the conference room in Tatagwa View in Weyburn.
The provincial budget, which was released June 1, was the sticking point, it was learned, as most financial-based reports were put in abeyance, pending the funding news that was expected with the release of the budget.
CEO Marga Cugnet said from what government representatives had said, prior to the budget day, the local health region’s leadership team was not expecting a lot of extra attention in terms of additional financing within the next fiscal year. She said the results of the budget and especially details concerning Sun Country, will be presented to the board, probably at a special June meeting. Various options will be provided by the financing and administration teams as to what can or cannot be done. The board will be given some time to consider the options with final approval expected to come down by mid-July.
On other files, the board passed a motion to increase internal funding allocations for ambulance purchases up to $100,000, if the funds can be raised. It was noted the new brand of ambulances with better shock absorber systems to provide smoother rides, now come with a price tag of around $275,000. The board learned that most of the ambulances in the local service fleet, and those provided under private contract, are in good to fair condition. One ambulance was purchased last year, said Cugnet, to replace an older unit in the fleet.
Board members also noted that, in some cases, older ambulances can still be retained in service if they don’t have to register a whole lot of kilometres. A few units, in the lighter use rural sectors may be as old as 2006 or 2007 models, but are still in good running order.
Cugnet said the general rule of thumb is that once an ambulance reaches the 400,000 kilometre mark, it’s a sign that it will probably require a replacement.
The human resources office reported that six registered nurses were hired in April while three left the employ of Sun Country. One physical therapist was hired along with two regional directors, one cook and three licensed practical nurses, while one community health services manager left Sun Country, as did two cooks and one emergency medical responder.
Sun Country also awarded bursaries to three aspiring registered nurses who have entered training.
At the end of April, Sun Country had a total employee base of 2,380 people, compared with 2,374 at the end of April 2015. That included 310 employees at the affiliated St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan.
The physical therapy waiting list in Estevan stood at 24 at the end of April while it was 80 in Weyburn, 30 at Kipling and 23 in Arcola.
Cugnet also noted there is one physician opening at the Carlyle clinic which is being filled on a temporary basis, but she said it was important to permanently fill the position soon since the clinic generally becomes a lot busier during the summer season due to its close proximity to moose Mountain Provincial Park.
