Faces of the Fight from Dr. Stephanie Young: We will get through this, but only together

By Dr. Stephanie Young, Physician Executive, Integrated Northern Health, Saskatchewan Health Authority

As I reflect on the most recent case projections, I am filled with heartache and dread.

During my last clinical shift, I was unable to transfer a patient who needed a higher level of care. We were unsuccessful in our attempts to transfer him to four other sites as none had an available bed for him. This situation is becoming the norm right now everywhere. I am terrified of what the weeks ahead will look like for our SHA teams and our province.

We are not in a good situation and it will get much worse before we see any reprieve from this the fourth - and worst-yet - wave.

Everyone is utterly exhausted, and rightly so. We feel disheartened and betrayed. We are frustrated because so many have chosen not to use the best tool we have to fight COVID-19: the vaccine. And now many of them are extremely sick and dying.

We know that the care of all of our patients and residents is suffering because we are so exhausted and do not have the capacity in our system to care for everyone that needs it. We know that this entire situation is going to get worse.

We know that more people will die.

And we know that we will be forced to make decisions about who gets the care they need – and possibly who does not - that may haunt us for the rest of our lives.

We know that our values will be challenged, if they have not been already.

In short, this wave may be one of the hardest things that we will ever have to endure.

There are literally no words that I can put to paper to express my sincere gratitude for everything every health-care provider has done since the pandemic began. They have continued to show up, despite all of this exhaustion, heartache, and pain. I have tears in my eyes and pride in my heart when I think about the courageous efforts, the sacrifices, and the dedication of our teams.

Knowing how exhausted everyone is, it seems unfair to ask anything more of you, our health-care teams. Nonetheless, as we begin our battle against yet another wave of this pandemic, please do try to remember to be patient and kind to one another and even more so to yourselves. Be an advocate in any way you can. Try to remember why you started to do the work that you do. Do not forget your passion to help, to heal, or to lead.

The last thing I ask of you is to please not give up. Do not give up on yourself. Do not give up on your patients and residents. Do not give up on your advocacy. Do not give up on your teams or your leaders.

We will get through this, but only together. Saskatchewan needs us now more than ever.