Temporary Service Disruptions – Wadena and Wynyard Emergency Departments

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) would like to advise residents of Wadena, Wynyard, and the area of upcoming temporary services disruptions to emergency room services at the Wadena Hospital and the Wynyard Hospital during the month of February.

Effective Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Wadena and Wynyard ERs will begin rotating temporary closures due to challenges with the recruitment and retention of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists (CLXTs) that have resulted in an inability to provide regular after-hours and weekend lab and x-ray services in those two communities. Dates and times of the ER closures are as follows:

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

4 p.m. Wednesday, February 1 – 8 a.m. Thursday, February 2

4 p.m. Thursday, February 2 – 8 a.m. Friday, February 3

Wadena Hospital ER CLOSED

4 p.m. Friday, February 3 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 6

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

4 p.m. Monday, February 6 – 8 a.m. Tuesday, February 7

4 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 – 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 8

4 p.m. Friday, February 10 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 13

4 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 – 8 a.m. Thursday, February 16

4 p.m. Thursday, February 16 – 8 a.m. Friday, February 17

Wadena Hospital ER CLOSED

4 p.m. Friday, February 17 – 8 a.m. Tuesday, February 21

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

4 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 – 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 22

4 p.m. Friday, February 24 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 27

Individuals requiring emergency services during these temporary closures are urged to call 9-1-1, visit the emergency department in the location that is open, or visit the Kelvington and Area Hospital ER.    Non-urgent health-related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine 24/7 by calling 8-1-1.

Regular lab and x-ray services at the Wadena and Wynyard hospitals are not affected at this time and will continue to serve the communities Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• In Wadena, patients may experience longer wait times for lab and x-ray services as booked appointments are not available.
• In Wynyard, patients may have trouble booking appointments due to the reduction of available appointment slots.

Recruiting and retaining health professionals is a top priority for the SHA and the government. Recruitment efforts underway as part of the Health Human Resource (HHR) action plan have included new incentives for nine hard-to-recruit classifications that are most closely connected to service stability in rural and remote communities, including CLXTs.  The status of recruitment and securing adequate coverage to provide lab and x-ray services will be taken into consideration before regular, full-time operation of these services will resume in Wadena and/or Wynyard.

The SHA is committed to keeping the community updated as information is available and appreciates the patience and understanding of the residents of Wadena, Wynyard, and surrounding areas as we continue to work through these temporary service disruptions.