A lack of physicians at the hospital in Shellbrook, Saskatchewan will have a significant impact on acute care for that region.
Starting Monday, no new acute inpatient care will be admitted to the hospital and any current inpatients will be discharged or transferred by August 2nd.
On top of that, 24-hour on-call coverage will also be reduced starting August 2nd. Emergency services will only be available each Friday starting at 6:00 p.m. until the following Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.
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The reduction in service is being blamed on the lack of physicians in the community. Three physicians are closing their clinics at the end of July and a senior physician in Shellbrook has given notice he will close his practice at the end of August.
“With only two physicians available it is not possible to maintain a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week acute care centre,” said Dr. Edmund Royeppen, Senior Medical Officer for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
Royeppen pointed out the reduction in service will be temporary as they actively seek new physicians.
“The region and our community partners continue to work together to recruit physicians and to build sustainable health care services in Shellbrook.”
Emergency services at the hospital have been disrupted recently due to a lack of doctors.
Shellbrook is located approximately 150 km north of Saskatoon.
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