Latest news with #SaskatchewanHealthAuthority
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SHA to spend $6.5M on 77 new health-care positions across rural and remote Sask. communities
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the provincial government have announced 77 new and enhanced permanent full-time health-care positions across 30 rural and remote communities in the province. New positions include a wide range of clinical roles such as licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, combined lab and x-ray technicians, medical radiation technologists and phlebotomists, SHA said in a news release Wednesday. They will be added to communities including Kindersley, Kipling, La Ronge, Leader, Maple Creek, Melville, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, North Battleford, Outlook, Porcupine Plain, Prince Albert, Redvers, Rosetown, Shaunavon, Shellbrook, Unity, Wadena and Weyburn, the release said. SHA said some of the jobs are new permanent full-time positions, while others are part-time positions being converted to permanent full-time. It said the move will reduce reliance on contract staff and allow for more consistent coverage of emergency departments. In total, $6.2 million will be put toward the positions. The money comes from recent changes to SHA's out-of-scope administrative leadership that reduced 26 senior positions and other corporate, management and support roles, according to the release. Some of these new positions will be eligible for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI), which provides up to $50,000 over three years, the SHA said. The announcement stems from the province's Health Human Resources Action Plan, launched in 2022 to recruit, train, incentivize and retain-health care workers in Saskatchewan, SHA said. SHA said it has already put $4.2 million toward the creation of 27 new and 20 enhanced clinical manager positions across 45 rural and northern communities.
CBC
23-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
SHA to spend $6.5M on 77 new health-care positions across rural and remote Sask. communities
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and the provincial government have announced 77 new and enhanced permanent full-time health-care positions across 30 rural and remote communities in the province. New positions include a wide range of clinical roles such as licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, combined lab and x-ray technicians, medical radiation technologists and phlebotomists, SHA said in a news release Wednesday. They will be added to communities including Kindersley, Kipling, La Ronge, Leader, Maple Creek, Melville, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, North Battleford, Outlook, Porcupine Plain, Prince Albert, Redvers, Rosetown, Shaunavon, Shellbrook, Unity, Wadena and Weyburn, the release said. SHA said some of the jobs are new permanent full-time positions, while others are part-time positions being converted to permanent full-time. It said the move will reduce reliance on contract staff and allow for more consistent coverage of emergency departments. In total, $6.2 million will be put toward the positions. The money comes from recent changes to SHA's out-of-scope administrative leadership that reduced 26 senior positions and other corporate, management and support roles, according to the release. Some of these new positions will be eligible for the Saskatchewan Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI), which provides up to $50,000 over three years, the SHA said. The announcement stems from the province's Health Human Resources Action Plan, launched in 2022 to recruit, train, incentivize and retain-health care workers in Saskatchewan, SHA said. SHA said it has already put $4.2 million toward the creation of 27 new and 20 enhanced clinical manager positions across 45 rural and northern communities.
CBC
23-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles cases extend beyond Alberta, Ontario, hotspot map shows
The spread of measles both within provinces and between one another is keeping doctors and health officials across much of Canada on their toes. The pace of the outbreak is accelerating in Alberta and more than 3,400 people have been confirmed with measles there and in Ontario so far this year. Measles hangs in the air and is one of the most contagious known viruses, infectious diseases specialists say. Joseph Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, says the more widespread the measles virus is in the province, the more opportunities there are for an individual who may not yet know they're infected to interact with others at social events and transmit it to others. Measles can cause fever, cough and redness of the eyes, followed by white spots next to the molars and a rash that usually starts around the hairline and moves down the body. "It's not just one geographically restricted cluster in the province," said Blondeau, who is also the provincial lead for clinical microbiology at the Saskatchewan Health Authority. While the outbreaks are concentrated in Alberta and Ontario, maps of hotspots across Canada reflect how precarious the situation is in several other provinces, meaning some doctors are recommending vaccines for travel within the country. "What worries me all the time is that we need to be careful about new individuals that are at a higher risk for more severe infection because those are the ones that could end up with complications, whether it's pneumonia or infection of the brain." Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine offer 97 per cent protection, said Dr. Ayisha Kurji, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Saskatchewan. Measles is considered eliminated in Canada, but that status could be lost given the extent of spread, largely among those who are unvaccinated. "It's a vaccine that we know a lot about." Immunization clinics improve access Manitoba started experiencing a significant increase in measles in the spring and there doesn't seem to be a decline, said Dr. Davinder Singh, medical officer of health for the province's Southern Health-Santé Sud health region. Notably, Singh said, the southwest area is most impacted, which corresponds with it having the lowest immunization uptake for measles-containing vaccines, he said. There are also pockets of low immunization across Manitoba. Medical experts are conducting home visits for those who can't travel, offering pop-up clinics when a group of families needs immunization and extending hours into the evening, depending on local needs, Singh said. Vaccination, immunity and records: Your questions on measles, answered At-risk Albertans mindful of summer plans as measles cases climb Infants aged six months to under 12 months in some provinces where measles is circulating are eligible for what's called a dose zero to protect them sooner than when children routinely receive two doses. Manitoba residents who are being evacuated due to wildfires are also offered vaccines, Singh said. Cases likely underreported Southwestern Ontario has faced hundreds of measles cases since April. Now there's been a consistent downward trend over the past few weeks, said Dr. Rod Lim, director of pediatric emergency medicine at the Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre. "We remain alert and able to provide care to those that need it," Lim said in an email. For every person who has measles, Singh said, there are likely several others who had it and haven't been tested. "Unconfirmed cases kind of hang out there," said Dr. Gerald Evans, a medicine professor at Queen's University and an infectious diseases specialist who practises at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Evans said he thinks the issue of underreporting is a bigger problem with the American data, where the ratio of deaths and hospitalizations to cases appears out of sync with the reported number of cases. The total stands at 1,309 as of July 15, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website. There have been three confirmed deaths from measles in the U.S. in 2025. In June, Ontario reported the death of an infant who was born prematurely and infected with the highly contagious virus while in the womb. The child also had other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus, the province's chief medical officer of health said. In Atlantic Canada, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador have no active measles cases, with one in Nova Scotia and 15 in New Brunswick so far this year. On the Pacific Coast, B.C. has more than 120 cases, while Yukon has not seen any measles in 2025. The Northwest Territories had a single measles case in the spring. There have been no cases in Nunavut, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Measles exposure risks reported in Regina
The Saskatchewan Health Authority logo can be seen in this CTV News file photo. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is advising the public of measles exposure risks in Regina due to a confirmed case. If anyone was at Dad's Organic Market (425 Victoria Avenue East) on July 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., or Home Depot (1867 Victoria Avenue East) on July 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the SHA said to monitor themselves for symptoms for up to 21 days after exposure. According to the SHA, measles symptoms include fever, coughing, fatigue, small white spots inside the mouth and throat, and a red blotchy rash that develops on the face and spreads down the body. Those who were exposed and are unvaccinated, or are unsure of their vaccination status, or develop measles symptoms, are urged to call HealthLine 811, the SHA said. The SHA is reminding people that measles is highly contagious and can spread easily to others through the air.
Hamilton Spectator
16-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
STARS suspends landings at Humboldt Hospital helipad
HUMBOLDT — STARS will no longer be landing at Humboldt Hospital. In a statement from STARS, 'On June 16, 2025, STARS notified the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) that, effective June 30, 2025, it would no longer land at the temporary helipad at Humboldt Hospital.' Officials with the City of Humboldt and the owner and operator of Humboldt Ambulance Services were also notified. Currently, when STARS transports a patient from Humboldt Hospital, the helicopter lands at the Humboldt Airport and the patient is transferred by ground ambulance. STARS has typically landed at the hospital site 10 to 12 times per year, said Doug Dahl, spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Dahl told , 'The SHA has held discussions with STARS, the City of Humboldt, Humboldt Hospital clinical leadership and the Humboldt and District Health Foundation about constructing a permanent helipad that meets Transport Canada requirements. These include a concrete pad, appropriate markings, fencing and a windsock. The proposed location is near the current temporary site.' 'Due to ongoing construction north of Humboldt Hospital, the temporary landing zone that has supported STARS operations in the community no longer meets the requirements under the Canadian Aviation Regulations,' said Blake Robert, spokesperson for STARS. 'As this location is not a certified heliport, we are unable to continue using it for patient transport.' 'While this change limits our ability to land directly at the hospital, STARS remains committed to serving the people of Humboldt and the surrounding area. We will continue to respond to critical care needs by flying into the Humboldt Airport for inter-facility transfers as needed,' Robert said. Robert added that STARS continues to work with health and community partners to explore long-term solutions that ensure rapid access to emergency medical transport for the region. STARS helicopters can be airborne within approximately 10 minutes of a call being accepted by dispatch. 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan,' Robert said. Robert added: 'We remain committed to working with local administration and the health authority to provide the best critical care possible to the people of Saskatchewan.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
