The decision to cut health services in Watson has been overturned for now.
About a month ago, the Town of Watson was shocked when they heard the Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) would be making cutbacks to laboratory diagnostic services in Watson, Nokomis and Cudworth.
No one in the town was notified of the proposed cuts. Town council learned of the cutbacks through hearsay and rumours in the community.
After confronting the SHR about the decision at their monthly meeting, a meeting was set for September 20 to discuss the council's concerns.
According to a news release issued by SHR on October 7, since that meeting, they have cancelled their plans to alter the lab services in Watson at this time.
"We are very pleased that the health region has decided to come to the table and work together with us on this," said Watson Councillor Maria Strasser.
SHR came to this decision after seeing the communities willingness to work together.
"We (have) heard and appreciate the communities' willingness to work with us to explore options and opportunities, while recognizing the fiscal challenges facing the region," said Maura Davies, president and CEO of SHR in the press release.
"It is in the spirit of collaboration and good faith that we are reversing our decision, pending further consultation with the community, and are asking the communities to work with us and help identify the best decision for each community."
Watson is already taking steps to work together with SHR.
"We will be going forward over the next few weeks and trying to form a committee of eight to 10 people from the region and then we will be able to engage in talks with them to come up with a better solution," said Strasser.
"It's keeping with their rural strategy... we're very happy that they're planning on doing this with us."
