Occupational therapy services have been temporarily halted in several departments at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, as revealed in an internal memo disclosed by the Opposition NDP. Due to an upsurge in vacancies, occupational therapists have been reassigned to priority units, resulting in at least nine departments lacking access to occupational therapy.
Keith Jorgenson, the NDP’s associate health critic, condemned the situation as part of a broader pattern of incompetence within the provincial government. He criticized the government’s recruitment efforts, stating that they are failing to retain healthcare professionals in the province.
Impacted departments include coronary care, general surgery, cardiology, emergency, and clinical teaching units where occupational therapy is usually taught to medical students. Occupational therapists have been instructed to prioritize other departments such as ICU, orthopedics, neurology, and trauma.
Jorgenson emphasized the critical role of occupational therapy in aiding recovery after strokes, surgeries, or traumatic injuries, stressing that delays in treatment can lead to severe long-term consequences. He highlighted the time sensitivity of these services, explaining that prompt therapy is crucial for patients to regain full capacity and functionality.
The memo follows an open letter from 450 healthcare workers at Royal University Hospital expressing concerns about burnout, vacancies, and unsafe workloads. Jorgenson noted that these issues are consistent with feedback from healthcare workers across the province, urging authorities to address the challenging conditions faced by frontline staff.
In response, the Saskatchewan Health Authority stated its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare in the province. The authority acknowledged the adjustments made to occupational therapy services at Royal University Hospital to align staff resources with therapy program demands. Recruitment efforts are ongoing to fill the existing vacancies for occupational therapists.
Overall, the situation underscores the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in managing staffing shortages and ensuring the delivery of essential services to patients in need.