Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) opposes the decision made by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to hire Medavie West, a private company, to provide Mobile Detox Services in communities such as Île-à-la-Crosse, Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, and La Loche.
“We believe that the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Saskatchewan Government need to allocate appropriate funding to address the health care and addictions needs of Saskatchewan residents in the North without shifting health care provisions to private, for-profit enterprises,” says HSAS President, Karen Schmid.
There are existing Emergency Medical Services in the affected communities that, with the proper resources, support and funding, could provide mobile detox services along with community paramedicine.
“There is no one better to provide addiction detox services in the North than the health care professionals who live and work there already, people who understand and have made connections with the community,” She continues, “Beyond that, addictions treatment should be provided by a team of professionals that includes EMS but also might include Addictions Counsellors, Mental Health Professionals and Social Workers, all of which work as a team to provide comprehensive services delivered through the public health care system.”
“We would like to work with the SHA and with the Saskatchewan Government to arrive at solutions that work best for the residents of these communities. It’s important to provide the highest level of care and, if properly resourced, the public system is the way to do that,” Karen concludes.
HSAS is a Union of Health Care Professionals that represents over 4300 members in Saskatchewan.
