The Battlefords Union Hospital is currently experiencing some temporary disruptions. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

SHA announcement

BUH to experience some temporary disruptions over holiday period

Dec 20, 2022 | 4:00 PM

People using the Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) might notice a temporary disruption of some services over the holidays.

The SHA responded in a statement to battlefordsNOW Tuesday that the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) closure at Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) was planned for Dec. 15, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023, inclusive to allow for renovations to the ICU with funding provided by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

“The critical care nursing teams within the BUH are cross-trained for both ICU and the Emergency Department (ED), so these staff will support the ED during this time. If a trauma presents during this timeframe, the ED would be open for care, stabilization, and then the patient would be transported to the appropriate location as required,” the release stated.

The SHA also announced the hospital’s CT department is experiencing some temporary disruptions due to equipment and staffing issues.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, the Computerized Tomography (CT) department at BUH is not in service due to equipment failure. North Battleford refers CT patients to Saskatoon when in disruption. “Once the equipment is repaired, there will still be limited service as there are vacancies within CT at BUH, which continue to cause challenges in maintaining service when there is illness or other unexpected leave. The SHA continues to work on a plan to minimize these disruptions while recruiting to this area within the hospital,” the release said.

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Recruitment incentive

The SHA said the Government of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources (HHR) Action Plan will assist the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) with addressing these staffing challenges that North Battleford and other communities across Saskatchewan are currently facing. The HHR Action Plan includes a recruitment incentive of $40,000 for the vacant Medical Radiation Technologist positions required to stabilize the CT scan service at BUH. More information on the recruitment incentive can be found at: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/health/health-human-resources/incentives-for-healthcare-professionals/saskatchewan-rural-and-remote-recruitment-incentive.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow