Following Phase Three of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan that took place on June 8, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is continuing its own resumption of medical services with the next phase set for June 16.
This will be Phase Two of the SHA’s plan, which began on May 19 and has since resumed more than 330 health services across the province.
Over the next few weeks, surgical capacity will increase to 65 to 70 per cent, and include urgent, emergent, and some elective procedures depending on the health care facility.
The SHA will also be increasing the capacity of all medical imaging services to 90 per cent volume, including MRIs and CT scans.
All services, including surgical and medical imagery, the SHA is enforcing COVID-related precautions and physical distancing practices. The health authority is also cohorting staff and using personal protective equipment in all situations.
“As we safely increase service levels, we are learning to do business in different ways that promote access to services for Saskatchewan residents while still ensuring safety and proper precautions against the spread of COVID-19,” SHA Chief Executive Officer Scott Livingstone said in a press release. “We know that this has meant some adjustments for patients and has resulted in longer waits and extra steps at times. We continue to express our gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding about the need to take these extra safety measures.”
Virtual care appointments will continue to be offered whenever possible, and the month of June is set to see more expansion and resumption of health care services at SHA specialty care clinics.
The SHA is regularly updating a list of services as they resume at saskhealthauthority.ca/service-alerts.
For more details about the Saskatchewan Health Authority's resumption plan, check out the related article here.
