Lloyd CT scanner currently operating 24/7

The death of a man has caused the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to address CT scanner staffing issues at the Lloydminster Hospital. 

A post about Roger Ogram’s death after a collision, Nov. 16, 2024 near Alcurve paints a grim picture of the service.

Despite being less than 30 kilometres from the collision, Lloydminster Hospital diverted Ogram to North Battleford. 

“I’m writing today to express my extreme concern for the health and safety of all Lloydminster residents,” said Chelsey Lujan, reading from her sister’s letter to the SHA. “My father was refused care by the Lloydminster Hospital due to no CT Scan operator, as stated in the patient care report.”

This deferred him over 130 kilometers to North Battleford for care, which, the family was told verbally after the fact, had no available CT machine that day either. 

“Making the additional trip completely unnecessary. The accident occurred at 12:01 p.m. … dad’s time of death was 2:47 p.m. in North Battleford,” she said. “There are no words to describe how deeply troubling it is to know that dad was never given the opportunity for pain management or a chance to survive.”

James Winkle a spokesperson for SHA says they cannot comment on specific cases. 

“Staff and physicians provide that care with patient safety being the top priority, patients require different types of care, some of which is not always available or accessible in one specific location. In those cases, with patient’s safety first and foremost in mind a transfer would occur,” he said. 

Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young identified staffing as the issue in late December.

“Two techs were on leave and a locum (temp worker) was in place until the end of November. The locum chose not to renew the contract,” stated Young. “SHA worked with North Battleford and Prince Albert to try and get coverage, but unfortunately, other health facilities with CT scanners in the province could not offer their staff as they too would have been short staffed (leaves and illnesses). Thus the reduced hours of operation locally.”

However she had some news for our community regarding services this month. 

“One tech resumed full time on Jan. 2 and the other one is returning to full time on Jan. 27. They have also been able to hire a third tech who has the basics, but is currently going through a six-week diagnostic training course,” Young explained.

“A contract has also been established with a private local tech for any needed on-call.  So, full service has resumed at the hospital for the last two weeks and weekends.”

SHA confirmed these details. 

“The SHA is actively working to maintain diagnostic CT services 24 hours a day in Lloydminster,” said Winkle. “We have been able to provide 24/7 coverage of CT services from Jan. 9 through Jan. 25.” 

SHA encourages you to contact a Client Concern Specialist if you have concerns about the care provided at one of their facilities. Contact information for those specialists can be found at this link: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/contact/patient-or-client-concerns-and-feedback.

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Dan Gray
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