Saskatchewan’s top health official headed north last month to hear how the closure of Flin Flon’s birth services may impact Saskatchewan families.
Rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit, along with an entourage of officials from the provincial health ministry and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, came to Creighton on Dec. 13 to meet with political figures representing northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Flin Flon Mayor Cal Huntley, Creighton Mayor Bruce Fidler and representatives from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) discussed regional health matters with the provincial group.
Front and centre in the conversation was the temporary suspension of birth services in Flin Flon, a move that stands to have a sizable impact on communities near Flin Flon in Saskatchewan, including Creighton, Denare Beach, Deschambault Lake, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay.
More than half of the births that took place at Flin Flon General Hospital over the past year involved mothers from Saskatchewan. Mothers who would have typically headed to Flin Flon for birthing services are being advised by the Northern Health Region (NHR) to head to other facilities, including St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas. However, with mothers driving as far as two hours to get to Flin Flon for births, an extra 90 minute drive to The Pas may not be viable in all cases.
Fidler said no firm promises or dedications were made during the meeting, but he felt the incoming delegation was receptive to concerns about service.
“(There were) no real outcomes other than continued discussion about the issue, but it went well. They accepted all our comments and complaints,” Fidler said at the Dec. 13 Creighton town council meeting just hours after the meeting with the minister.
“It was a good meeting. There’s going to be lots of follow-up yet, continued discussions and seeing where he’s going with his end, letting him know if we’ve done anything or if there’s any progress on this end.”
Another meeting between regional officials, Ottenbreit and SaskHealth may take place during the upcoming Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) annual convention, set to take place in Saskatoon in February.
