REGINA – Gail and Jim Sack had just returned to their North Battleford home in late January from a vacation, when they fell ill – so sick, they passed out.
A relative came by hours later and called 911. After being transported from hospital in North Battleford, the pair woke up at Moose Jaw Union Hospital following treatments in a hyperbaric chamber, recovering from a case of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Because our levels were so extremely high, they felt we were probably within 45 minutes of losing our lives,” Gail said.
The pair were at the Saskatchewan legislature along with relatives Wednesday to tell the government the hyperbaric chamber is too valuable to lose.
“It’s so important to get that treatment quickly.”
Funding for the chamber will be ceased by the end of 2015. Five Hills Health Region has said there isn’t enough space for it in the new hospital, which will be 25,000 square feet smaller than the current Moose Jaw Union Hospital.
Without the one in Moose Jaw, the closest chambers for patients in Saskatchewan are located in Edmonton and Toronto.
“Five years from now (we could have had) full blown dementia,” Gail said. “It’s so important to get that treatment quickly.”
The ministry of health is considering moving the chamber, which is also in need of repairs, to another location – but it’s not a top priority.
“I think it is important to draw the distinction that it is a therapy service, most often used after patients have received primary treatment elsewhere,” said Deb Jordan, the ministry’s executive director of acute and emergency services.
‘Leaned out’
Opposition NDP leader Cam Broten said the government’s Lean design methods for the hospital are squeezing out valuable services.
“This government’s approach, saying this isn’t an important service, is such small thinking,” Broten said.
Broten was also critical of the overall number of inpatient rooms at the new hospital, which is being reduced from 99 to 72.
Construction on the new Moose Jaw hospital is expected to be complete in May, with opening of the $100-million facility scheduled for the summer.
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