Although I am not nearly as versed in the art of the rant and observation as my friend Norm, I will do my best to pinch hit for him while he enjoys a week off.
There has been a lot of talk in the community since The Mercury was first to report last week that the doctor shortage in Estevan has reached a critical level. As you may have already heard, the city is down to seven doctors and could dip to as low as five depending on circumstances.
Anyway you look at it, those are scary numbers. We're talking about a city of 12,000 people and a trading area of another 20,000 to 30,000 served by seven doctors. It's not exaggerating to say this is a catastrophe waiting to happen.
The question being asked by most people, and it's a good one, is how was this allowed to happen.
It's not as though the powers that be among our health officials didn't know it was coming. Just a few months ago Dr. Vino Padayachee went public with his concerns about the shortage of physicians in the area and how, as the lone anesthesiologist in the area, he was getting burned out. The Mercury editorial at the time also called on the powers that be to jump on this problem and not let it become the full blown mess it now is.
Obviously that didn't happen and the public has a right to know why.
Assigning blame in these situations is always a slippery slope. Far too often the people who don't deserve the blame get pegged with it and those who do usually seem to skate by.
What is more clear is that this problem is a black mark on the leadership of the Sun Country Health Region. By all accounts, the people at St. Joseph's Hospital are doing everything they can to improve the situation and at the same time keep the doors to the emergency room open.
Can the same be said for those in command at Sun Country?
Yes, the doctor shortage is an issue that is plaguing the entire province and it's not as though they can clap their hands and have doctors appear on their doorstep.
But again, how was this situation allowed to get this point, especially in the largest community and the largest hospital in the health region?
Obviously the more important issue at the moment is to solve the doctor shortage. But if, and when, that is handled some serious questions will have to be asked. It should be interesting.
You really have to admire politicians. I mean, have you ever seen a group who excels more at revisionist history and having shorter memories?
The NDP has been jumping all over the Sask Party government about the doctor shortage. Health critic Judy Junor, and other members of the NDP, have critiqued the government for failing to deliver on its promise of finding a solution to the shortage.
Although the Sask Party has been far slower to act than anyone would like, the comical part of equation is that the NDP have the gall to criticize them for a problem that developed primarily while they were in power.
Ya gotta love these people. If it wasn't for them this job would get boring.
I'm not sure who is responsible, but the person in the Saskatchewan Roughriders front office, or marketing firm, that came up with the Riderville contest deserves some kind of award. Not only has it been a major hit throughout the province, it has generated millions in free advertising and merchandise sales for the team. It has also generated an incredible level of interest for the upcoming 100th season which should be a good one if all the predictions are correct.
It is really a brilliant idea.
