Daily Herald Staff
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has announced the re-opening of the La Ronge Health Centre Emergency Department services.
The SHA said services re-opened at 3 p.m. on Thursday after being closed due to a mandatory wildlife evacuation.
“It was important to us to ensure residents had access to emergency health care services as they returned to the community,” Bryan Witt, Vice President of Provincial Clinical and Support Services for the SHA, said in a press release. “Our teams arrived on Tuesday morning, and everyone pitched in so we could get the job done.
“Refrigerators and freezers were emptied and restocked; equipment was diagnosed and recalibrated; and the whole facility was cleaned top to bottom, from linens to air filters. The Emergency Department is open just two days later and ready to serve the community thanks to such great teamwork.”
Other departments of the Health Centre such as acute and long-term care will be reopened soon thereafter.
SHA officials said staff and physicians of the Health Centre who were affected directly were provided with adequate support to ensure their well being as they return to work and to their homes.
“Thank you to SHA staff and physicians across the province who provided care and supported evacuees and displaced co-workers during this stressful time. You have lived our values, caring for each other and the communities and residents we serve,” said Derek Miller, Chief Operating Officer for the SHA. “We also once again say thank-you to all the emergency responders, First Nations partners, supporting agencies, and volunteers who helped us to evacuate patients and residents as wildfires surrounded the community and who have now helped us re-open services. We are grateful for everyone’s support.”
The release made available by the SHA also stated that the health centre will be able to accommodate inpatient services should they arise over the weekend.
Other services that will have some availability in the community this weekend include ambulance service, home care, and detox.
From the release the SHA also stated that with effect from Monday, June 16, the SHA will focus on returning acute care patients and long-term care residents to the community who were evacuated. Acute care patients will be transferred first, followed by long-term care residents. Mental health support will be available as of Monday. Anyone in need of mental health support can also call HealthLine 811.
The SHA said the re-opening was made possible by the cooperation of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, the Canadian Red Cross, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, La Ronge EMS, and Northern Medical Services, among others who helped ensure all resources were in place.
Surrounding clinics in Regina, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon will continue as planned this week. Regular in-person appointments will commence on Wednesday, June 18, while the Health Centre will continue to have virtual primary care visits on Monday and Tuesday, with urgent in-person visits available on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
