Services at the Lloydminster Hospital are currently under review. No new buildings or additions are expected until the review is complete.
During a recent Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society meeting, Paul Richer, chair of the Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council provided an update on the hospital file. He noted a new needs assessment is underway.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently awarded Cornerstone Planning Group Partnership the needs assessment contract. The Vancouver-based company bid just over $254,000 for the job.
“The purpose of this study is to assess the current state of healthcare facilities and services in Lloydminster. Then compare them with similar-sized municipalities,” said Richer. “This will help identify gaps or areas where the local health system could be improved.”
According to Richer, the company intends to visit Lloydminster only once while conducting multiple virtual interviews with community members, including himself.
He said another group would need to study the assessment before action could be taken, something the SHA refused to comment on when contacted. However, they were quick to tout the $2.9 billion invested in capital projects since 2007.
“When planning new or replacement major capital projects, projects proceed through various stages of planning, including an early planning process that includes a service needs assessment,” stated Jennifer Graham, a media representative of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. “This would be the case for hospitals … and long-term care builds.”
Due to Lloyd’s border location, Alberta and Saskatchewan agreed to move forward with a new needs assessment. The hospital last underwent a needs assessment in 2013.
“This needs assessment evaluates the current and projected utilization of health services across a number of service lines and is not connected to specific facility replacement or development planning,” continued Graham.
“The outcomes of this study will be used by Alberta and Saskatchewan health authorities to help identify and prioritize potential infrastructure projects.”
Richer is concerned about when and how it will be used. Project completion and the next steps are unclear, and he wants action.
“It’s crucial that once the report is delivered, we do not let it sit idle like previous reports,” said Richer. “We need to study the findings carefully and take action, ensuring the government and health authorities follow through.”
According to Richer, this study could take up to 12 months. This means no significant changes to our local healthcare landscape will happen until at least 2026.
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