A family residing in Biggar is facing financial strain due to the absence of nearby emergency medical services. Amy Haynes recounted an incident involving her three-year-old son, Nolan, who developed a high fever exceeding 40°C during the spring. Concerned about the severity of his condition, they sought medical attention at a local clinic, where they were advised that emergency care was imperative due to the risk of seizures.
Despite their efforts to secure an ambulance, they were informed that all hospitals in Saskatoon, as well as those in North Battleford and Swift Current, had no available beds. Frustrated by the lack of immediate medical assistance, Haynes expressed her disappointment, stating, “It shouldn’t be this hard to access care.” The only viable option was a lengthy two-and-a-half-hour ambulance journey to Prince Albert, incurring a substantial cost of $1,300 for the one-way trip.
Following Nolan’s treatment for a suspected case of pneumonia in Prince Albert, the family returned home, but Haynes was disheartened upon receiving the hefty ambulance bill. Despite her anticipation of the expense, she emphasized that the situation was beyond their control due to the unavailability of beds in closer medical facilities.
The Opposition NDP highlighted the family’s ordeal during a news conference in Biggar, underscoring the broader implications of limited hospital capacity on rural communities. NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson emphasized the potential life-threatening consequences of delays in accessing emergency medical services, cautioning that additional kilometers traveled could determine the outcome of critical situations.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by rural residents in accessing timely healthcare, the provincial government assured CBC that efforts are underway to enhance hospital capacity in Saskatoon by introducing 146 additional beds. It clarified that ambulance services are not covered under the Canada Health Act, and there is no insurance provision for inter-hospital ambulance transfers.
