The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has announced upcoming temporary services disruptions to emergency room services at the Wadena Hospital and the Wynyard Hospital during February.

Effective Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Wadena and Wynyard ERs will begin rotating temporary closures. 

The SHA says the closures are due to challenges with the recruitment and retention of Combined Laboratory and X-Ray Technologists, resulting in an inability to provide regular after-hours and weekend lab and x-ray services in those two communities.

 

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

 

4 p.m. Wednesday, February 1 – 8 a.m. Thursday, February 2

 

4 p.m. Thursday, February 2 – 8 a.m. Friday, February 3

 

Wadena Hospital ER CLOSED

 

4 p.m. Friday, February 3 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 6

 

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

 

4 p.m. Monday, February 6 – 8 a.m. Tuesday, February 7

 

4 p.m. Tuesday, February 7 – 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 8

 

4 p.m. Friday, February 10 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 13

 

4 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 – 8 a.m. Thursday, February 16

 

4 p.m. Thursday, February 16 – 8 a.m. Friday, February 17

 

Wadena Hospital ER CLOSED

 

4 p.m. Friday, February 17 – 8 a.m. Tuesday, February 21

 

Wynyard Hospital ER CLOSED

 

4 p.m. Tuesday, February 21 – 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 22

 

4 p.m. Friday, February 24 – 8 a.m. Monday, February 27

 

The SHA says in a release that, “Individuals requiring emergency services during these temporary closures are urged to call 9-1-1, visit the emergency department in the location that is open, or visit the Kelvington and Area Hospital ER. Non-urgent health-related questions can be directed to the provincial HealthLine 24/7 by calling 8-1-1.”

They say that regular lab and x-ray services at the hospitals are not affected, and will continue to serve the communities Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. 

“In Wadena, patients may experience longer wait times for lab and x-ray services as booked appointments are not available. In Wynyard, patients may have trouble booking appointments due to the reduction of available appointment slots,” says the SHA. 

“Recruiting and retaining health professionals is a top priority for the SHA and the government. Recruitment efforts underway as part of the Health Human Resource (HHR) action plan have included new incentives for nine hard-to-recruit classifications that are most closely connected to service stability in rural and remote communities, including CLXTs. The status of recruitment and securing adequate coverage to provide lab and x-ray services will be taken into consideration before regular, full-time operation of these services will resume in Wadena and/or Wynyard.”

The SHA appreciates the patience and understanding of the residents of Wadena, Wynyard, and surrounding areas.