Kamsack expanding emergency room hours and re-opening three acute care beds
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is pleased to advise residents of Kamsack and surrounding area that three beds at the Kamsack Hospital will re-open to admissions and emergency room access will expand to seven days per week from 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. daily, effective Sunday, April 30, 2023. In total, three acute care, four Alternate Level of Care (ALC), and one palliative care bed will now be open in Kamsack.
In September 2022, RN and CLXT recruitment resulted in emergency room hours expanding to five days per week from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and two months later, RN resources were stabilized enough to proceed with the safe reopening of one palliative care and four Alternate Level of Care (ALC) beds. In addition to the reopening of the three acute beds, recent success with CLXT recruitment also led to expanded ER access to include weekend on-call lab and x-ray coverage between 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Earlier this year, the Government of Saskatchewan released an aggressive Health Human Resources Action Plan that builds on existing initiatives and incentives. The plan is assisting the SHA with addressing the staffing challenges that communities across Saskatchewan are currently facing and recently has reported progress on the recruitment of health care professionals from the Philippines, the SHAs active promotion of employment opportunities to nursing graduates among other positive initiatives that are currently underway. The Ministry of Health has implemented a one-time rural and remote recruitment incentive of up to $50,000 for individuals hired into high-priority classifications in rural and remote locations, including RNs and CLXTs.
The SHA is committed to fully restoring acute care and emergency services in Kamsack as soon as the current human resource challenges can be adequately addressed. Recruitment for additional RN and CLXT staff is ongoing. Primary health care, laboratory, x-ray, long-term care, and EMS services continue to be available in Kamsack.
The SHA has appreciated the dedication of the physicians and staff at Kamsack Hospital as well as the ongoing patience and cooperation of Kamsack and area residents while work to restore ER and acute care services continues.
PLEASE REMEMBER: In the event of an emergency call 9-1-1 and an ambulance will be dispatched to provide assistance. Non-urgent health-related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine by calling 8-1-1.