Some lab work currently carried out at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre may, at least temporarily, be sent to Regina.
"There's a shortage of lab techs," said Ross Fisher, Executive Director with the Health Foundation, "There's not enough young people coming in to replace the old (retirees)."
Fisher added it's not a Yorkton shortage, but a provincial one, noting there are some 30 unfilled lab positions across the province at present.
As a result, at the local lab there are concerns regarding current staffing, and what numbers might look like moving forward.
"They are having to sort out staffing to review the best use of staff resources now and in the future. While no decisions have been made yet, they are having to look at what services need to be performed locally," said Fisher.
While noting no final decision has been made, Fisher said they are looking at moving some microbiology work to Regina.
"There are already tests that go (to Regina)," said Fisher, adding the materials to be cultured would go out at the same time, and local doctors would receive results electronically, same as they do now from the local lab.
Fisher noted it's not unusual for samples to be transported for testing, pointing out that much of the lab work on blood collected in area facilities such as Kamsack, Canora, Esterhazy are not done in those facilities.
"They send samples to the Yorkton lab," he said.
The move to send some lab work to Regina would be temporary, or at least that is the hope, said Fisher, adding it comes down to staffing levels. He said it may be difficult to sustain the full test menu that the lab currently has. Staff are considering how best to deliver the tests and services patients need. Even if some tests end up being done in Regina there will still be microbiology services on site in Yorkton.
Whatever the final decision is on where some tests are carried out, Fisher said doctors will still have results in a timely fashion.
"This won't make any difference in patient care," he said.
