The Sask. Party and the NDP spent several hours debating an emergency motion introduced by the Rural and Remote Health Critic on Wednesday.
Meara Conway announced her intention to end the use of webcams in hospitals during childbirth or emergency situations such as broken bones and appendicitis. The province’s Virtual Physician Program currently operates in 30 communities across the province, allowing ERs to go partially virtual when there are not enough staff available.
Minister of Rural and Remote Health Minister Lori Carr strongly disagreed with the motion and instead proposed an amendment to celebrate the Sask. Party’s efforts to patch the staffing shortage with virtual care as a short-term solution.
“This program is replacing care. It’s supporting local teams and sustaining emergency services, especially in communities where full physician coverage is still being recruited. Once again, this is not a permanent solution. This is until we get those professionals in place that we need.”
Opposition members continued to voice their concerns about the program until 5:00 p.m. when the sitting was adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.
Earlier on in the session during Question Period, the official Opposition pressured the Sask. Party government to sign the 10-dollar-a-day childcare agreement with Ottawa.
NDP Critic for Childcare and Early Education Joan Pratchler says the education minister said a deal would be reached following the federal election, and the time is here, but no agreement has come to fruition.
Everette Hindley retorted that the new government hasn’t even appointed a cabinet yet.
“If you look at the Prime Minister’s website, he still has an old cabinet list up there which actually includes the health minister who lost her seat, so clearly they haven’t moved to appoint a new cabinet. As I’ve said previously, our officials, myself as the minister, remain prepared and ready to negotiate to make sure that we can get the best deal for the people of Saskatchewan.”
The new federal cabinet is expected to be announced within the next few weeks.
