In response to our community’s needs and as a result of the physician shortage in Estevan, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Estevan physicians have announced that there will be a physician stationed in the emergency department of St. Joseph’s Hospital from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
This temporary measure is in addition to the emergency room coverage provided by the physicians on a 24-hour emergency basis. This additional coverage does not include weekends. Regular emergency coverage will be provided on weekends. In addition additional nursing and patient registration staff will also be added during this time.
The goal of this initiative is to allow those, unable to secure timely access to a family physician, an opportunity to see a physician more quickly.
“While we recognize that this situation is less than ideal, we are taking these measures to help with the present situation and St. Joseph’s Hospital is continuing to recruit physicians to meet the long term needs of our community," said St. Joseph's Hospital CEO Greg Hoffort.
Hoffort commended the present physicians and hospital staff for their extraordinary efforts during this challenging time.
St. Joseph’s Hospital continues to recruit physicians during the present physician shortage.
“We are in discussions with five physicians, and our efforts have yielded some medium to long term success, with a few physicians slated to arrive in April, and our efforts will continue,” said Hoffort.
St. Joseph’s Hospital has two physicians in the Saskatchewan physician assessment program and upon completion will be able to commence practice in April. Additionally one physician from the U.K. has agreed to a site visit in February with a view to an April start date as well.
