Dear Editor:
The news from the Sunrise Health Region was announced very carefully using language "services interrupted" to make it seem like we should not be concerned because it's just another rural hospital with their usual problem. This leads everyone to believe that its just temporary and everyone is working so hard to make sure those services get restored.
Why do they not put it in plain language? As of Friday, April 15, 2011, the acute care has been closed at the hospital. All patients have been released or transferred and next week staff, beds and equipment will leave our hospital to Canora or Yorkton. We do not have a hospital, if anyone needs medical help, we have to go to Canora or Yorkton. This is in plain language. The rural residents of the area have to call an ambulance, then go to Canora and if they do not have room be sent to Yorkton which could take up to one or two hours depending on the distance. We are all in shock as we feel no thought has been put into this decision and no consideration for us. The good news is this is just until September! Our population increases in the summer due to tourist to our area and our hospital is closed. If you are a senior and have no transportion to see a doctor I guess you just wait until you're sick enough to call an ambulance. If you are a senior and live in the nursing home and you need acute care you will be sent to Canora or Yorkton. The expense of ambulance, gas etc. for your family you have to bear because its just temporary. So my question, what is going to change? The shortage of Doctors is the excuse Sunrise hides behind. We have had exceptional Doctors in Kamsack, does or did Sunrise look into the reason they left? Was there anything done for those who wanted to stay? The news is Canora is getting a new hospital, Yorkton is getting an expansion. Is the real reason financial? These are the real questions that the people of our area deserve to have an answer when our very lives are in jeopardy. Our premier Brad Wall needs to give us answers. Our Health Minister needs to address this. Where is Ken Krawtz as our Local MLA from Canora, his office was called, no response. This is not acceptable. How do we as a community survive? It has been noted no jobs will be lost but the reality is in order to maintain your job you have to agree to work in Canora or Yorkton. While these employees are working in Yorkton or Canora, they will do their shopping taking much needed support from the business in Kamsack. Real Estate values will be affected, who is going to move to our community when we have no medical facility. Jobs will lost as businesses will be trying to survive. We need answers quickly as it is easy to close a facility but very difficult to re-open, that is a reality. IF the problem is Doctor recruitment, who will come to a community that has a closed hospital and no businesses.
Lucille Rezansoff
Kamsack, SK.
