'The doctors are overrun. The staff are frazzled': Sask. medical clinic closes walk-in services
Legends medical clinic in Warman is closing their walk-in clinic due to a physician shortage and abusive behaviour towards staff and doctors.
Partial owner of the clinic, Glenn Murray, told CTV News he has seen doctors and patients struggling in the current medical system.
“If you come in at 9:00 a.m., it's not unheard of by 9:30 we're at a four hour-plus wait. Because of this people are frustrated. They can't get a doctor. They're scared. They're worried.”
However, he said the behaviour has been getting out of control.
“Frustration is boiling over and the abuse we're seeing in our clinic is unheard of,” he said, adding he has been in the healthcare industry for over 20 years and has seen the odd upset patient. “This isn't just once in a while this is daily and multiple times daily; cursing, swearing, smacking the glass, pushing chairs, intimidation; one person ripped all the signs off the walls and doors.
“The doctors are overrun. The staff are frazzled.”
In a social media post from October 5, the clinic advised they will close on October 11 for a “minimum of two weeks.”
They’ve instructed patients with family physicians at the clinic to call and book appointments. Those who do not have a family doctor at the clinic have been advised to see their family physician or find another walk-in clinic.
Murray said it wasn’t something they wanted to do, but they are trying to look after the well-being of their staff and physicians.
Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health told CTV News they were aware of the situation in the area and have put a plan in place to attract healthcare professionals.
“Martensville and Warman have historically experienced challenges recruiting and retaining family physicians,” an e-mailed statement from the ministry said.
“Saskdocs and the practitioner staff affairs Saskatoon area office have been working collaboratively to develop a recruitment and retention strategy to support Martensville and Warman, which includes additional promotion of opportunities in these communities and connecting to the locum relief program for additional support. The province has recently committed to funding three nurse practitioners for Warman and another three for Martensville.”
The Ministry said that everyone deserves respect in their workplaces and abuse would not be tolerated.
“Part of the post from the clinic notes that clinic staff have experienced disrespectful behaviour: abuse of front-line medical professionals is not to be tolerated whether in Saskatchewan Health Authority facilities, physicians’ clinics, long term care or personal care home settings. All residents deserve respect in their workplaces,” the statement said.
Blood work and x-ray services will be operating as usual, according to the Facebook post.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.