There is still “no firm date” for the weekend CT scan service to resume at the Lloydminster Hospital.
Communications officer with the SHA, James Winkel says in an email that “unforeseen situations do arise that lead to short-term vacancies, which are extremely difficult to backfill.”
Several technicians have been away on leave and the hospital has had to limit CT scan services to Monday to Friday.
When asked the reason for administration not anticipating the impact of technicians being on leave at the same time, Winkel replied, “The SHA plans staffing accommodations as much in advance as possible.”
Staff are currently returning from leave and Winkel noted that they are “being re-oriented to the department.”
The SHA has a contract worker who started last week, added Winkel. He remains hopeful that the situation will improve.
“While staffing levels improve and recruitment continues, further disruptions may occur. In the next several weeks we will be seeing increased and improved hours for CT services in Lloydminster.”
The CT scanner at the hospital was installed in 2017 with the cost of $1.2 million split between the Lloydminster Region Health Foudation and Saskatchewan.
The ongoing schedule change has sent at least one Lloydminster patient to North Battleford on two occasions due to the lack of the service on weekends.
