The first phase of work on electrical equipment upgrades at Yorkton Regional Health Centre (YRHC) was successfully completed but the Sunrise Health Region (SHR) is reminding residents another service interruption is on the horizon. Emergency and obstetrical services will not be available on the evening of October 27 to complete upgrades.
Every alternative to service interruption was explored by the health region says Suann Laurent, interim CEO for SHR however she says, the equipment being upgraded is original to the building constructed in 1960 and transfers over 4,000 volts of electricity. "The work must be completed in two phases due to the location of the equipment and high voltage.
"The public's cooperation and attention to our messages have helped greatly," she adds. "For safety reasons the service interruptions on Oct 13 and October 27 are unavoidable, but we acknowledge the disruption this causes for the patients transferred during the event and the inconvenience for their families and the general public."
The emergency services interruption at YRHC on October 13 commenced at 3:30 p.m. and normal services resumed at 8 a.m. the next morning. Debriefing sessions are being held this week and plans will be adjusted in preparation for the second interruption necessary to complete the electrical work on October 27. At this time the Emergency Department will be unavailable from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. Other acute care sites in the health region will be operational.
In an emergency the public as advised to call 911 for an ambulance or, for nursing advice can call Healthline at 1-877-800-0002.
Pregnant women beginning labour between 6:00 a.m. on October 27 and 8:00 a.m. on October 28 are advised to travel to the closest hospital with delivery service or, can proceed to YRHC to be assessed for possible transfer to Regina. When birth is imminent you are advised to proceed to the closest hospital.
Normal emergency and obstetrical services should be restored by 8:00 a.m. October 28.
