Sask. rural community calls for 'creative' solution to long-term care bed closures
Nearly a third of long-term beds at a Duck Lake care home are closed, causing growing concern for community members.
Goodwill Manor is at the heart of the community, but it’s recently faced challenges, with seven of its 30 beds sitting empty.
“It’s a vital part of the community. It’s a major employer, and we need this to be maintained,” said Raymond Gauthier, chair of the board for Goodwill Manor.
Gauthier said the home was founded in the 1980s.
“We have one lady, who is 102-years-old, lives a block down the street and can’t get in,” he said.
“She was part of the vision to build this place back in the 80s and now she can’t even use it.”
In September 2022, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) told the board there would no longer be a physician to admit and oversee new patients.
Shortly after, Gauthier says a doctor from 100 kilometres away stepped in to help, but it wasn’t sustainable. As of March 2023, no new patients have been admitted.
“Duck Lake has more empty beds than the whole northeast combined,” he said.
The board believes opening the beds would alleviate capacity pressures in the nearby city hospitals, including Prince Albert, Rosthern, and Saskatoon.
“There is a need and a backlog there where we might be able to offset some of that load by accepting folks who qualify for long-term care,” said Steve Adkins, CEO of Goodwill Manor.
The home also serves One Arrow First Nation and Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation.
“The fact that there are seven closed beds in this facility is a concern for our ageing population, specifically our elders, and also for those who need respite services,” said Heather Bighead, director of health with Beardy’s and Okemasis.
The closures include the home’s respite bed, which provides temporary relief for a primary caregiver.
In a statement to CTV News, the SHA said it’s working to recruit more physicians to the area.
“The nearby Rosthern group of physicians is currently managing vacancies. Due to capacity issues, only a certain number of beds can be supported with the current physician complement,” the statement said.
The SHA said it anticipates its rural incentive program for doctors, and the broadening scope of practice given to nurse practitioners will eventually help improve the “level of care.”
(Stacey Hein / CTV News)
Meanwhile, the community says something needs to be done soon.
“We know that there are families that are desperate to get their family members closer to home,” said Bonnie Guigon, mayor of Duck Lake.
Gauthier believes one solution might be to require international doctors to work in a nursing home during their pre-licensure assessment.
“I mean the need is there. You got to start being a little more creative,” he said.
“We want to keep the Duck Lake community alive, and we need this home to be a part of that,” said Remi Martin, reeve for the RM of Duck Lake.
CTV News reached out to the Ministry of Health, but did not get a response by publishing time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.