Pre-Election Promises

Surgery cancellations due to faulty air conditioning systems… a record breaking number of West Nile cases… leaked memos claiming the Regina-Qu'Appelle Health Region is in a state of crisis… and just a pinch of striking unions in various health sectors have all contributed to creating an exciting summer for health care in Saskatchewan. Add to that the ever problematic shortage of doctors and nurses, rural hospital closures, increasing waiting times, and it seems as though health care (in the home of Medicare itself) has nearly flat-lined. Yes, it does appear that measures must soon be taken to revitalize health care in Saskatchewan, and what divine intelligence that there should be an upcoming provincial election. This of course guarantees that even if measures aren’t taken, you can rest assured measures will be promised. Enter Brad Wall, and his defibrillation team that is the Saskatchewan Party... CLEAR!!

In a Saskatchewan Party Caucus news release from September 5, Brad Wall announced a plan that lays out the first steps his party will take to address health care in Saskatchewan. The plan involves investing $275 million (in their first term of government) to add 300 registered nurse training seats, and also involves bringing the number of physician training seats to 100 (currently there are 60). It sounds pretty great. We spend a bit of money and out come 300 more nurses and almost double the amount of doctors every year. Sort of like a vending machine when you think about it. But could it really be that simple?

An article by Murray Mandryk in the Sept 7th Leader Post titled “Sask Party’s Faulty Diagnoses” raises a number of doubts, not least of which is who is going to train these people? Mandryk points out that “nurse educators are retiring at a faster rate than the general nursing complement.” Another concern will be finding the resources to hire these 300 extra nurses once their training is complete. Just how many I-Owe-Yous is the province willing to write?

Mr. Wall might also want to take into consideration that the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine was put on probation for three years and risked losing their accreditation beginning in February of 2003. According to their website, deficiencies identified included library assets and number of faculty members compared to number of students. So, while it may be easy to accept 40 more students every year, Mr. Wall may want to consider who will teach them, and which library they will be loaning books from. The even bigger question for Mr. Wall to consider is… how many doctors with MD’s from non-accredited medical schools does it take to thread an IV?

The bottom line is that with an approaching election, promises are flying. Parties are going to fix all of the problems that plague Saskatchewan. They are going to do it better than their opponents, and for less money. No promise is too ridiculous if it will court at least a few votes. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with unveiling big plans so close to an election, or firming up positions on issues important to the province. But why not add a little substance to these plans. Mr. Wall’s announcement is little more than a summary of the end result he would like to see, and an estimated dollar amount. I find it offending that politicians believe voters opinions will be swayed by such superficial announcements.