Moose Jaw Faces Doctor Exodus as NDP Calls for Urgent Action

As another physician prepares to depart from Moose Jaw’s Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, the provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) is urging immediate action to address what they describe as a healthcare crisis in the city. Jared Clarke, NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), emphasized the growing concern on Wednesday, stating, “That’s a crisis for this city and thousands of Moose Jaw residents who rely on these doctors for care.”

The NDP has reported that, over the past year, a total of eight doctors have left Moose Jaw, citing factors such as burnout and stress, alongside two retirements. Clarke pointed out that if a city the size of Moose Jaw struggles to retain its medical professionals, it raises significant concerns about the situation in the broader province of Saskatchewan. “Unfortunately, this problem is not limited just to Moose Jaw; it’s a pattern across Saskatchewan,” he said. As of Tuesday, there are 286 vacant physician positions throughout the province.

In response to these alarming statistics, the Government of Saskatchewan has stated that they are actively working to address upcoming physician vacancies. A spokesperson for the government noted that since the launch of their Health Human Resources action plan in 2022, Moose Jaw has seen the hiring of 21 healthcare professionals through the rural and remote recruitment incentive. Additionally, a total of 512 physicians have established their practices in the province during this period.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority has also taken steps to expand medical residency seats and enhance training opportunities in Moose Jaw, as well as in La Ronge, Prince Albert, North Battleford, and Swift Current through various partnerships. Despite these efforts, the NDP asserts that more needs to be accomplished to alleviate the workload on family doctors.

Clarke highlighted that Saskatchewan has the second-lowest provincial rate for doctor retention in Canada, just ahead of Newfoundland. “Families deserve stability and access to care, but the party is pushing doctors to the brink and out of our province,” he said. He called for improved incentives to retain doctors, better recruitment strategies, and an end to policies that detract from patient care.

“There is an urgent need to critically evaluate how we provide primary care in this province,” Clarke added. “The current model is obviously not working. This is about the future of our communities and our province.”

The situation in Moose Jaw reflects broader challenges facing healthcare systems across Canada, as hospitals grapple with staffing shortages and increasing demand for services. The call for action from the NDP highlights the importance of addressing these issues to ensure that residents receive the quality healthcare they need.