A family residing in Biggar faced financial strain due to the lack of immediate emergency services in their area. Amy Haynes recounted the incident when they urgently required an ambulance for her three-year-old son, Nolan, who was suffering from a high fever exceeding 40°C. The local clinic advised that Nolan needed immediate emergency care to prevent potential seizures.
Despite requesting an ambulance, the family was informed that all hospitals in Saskatoon, as well as those in North Battleford and Swift Current, had no available beds. This led to a challenging situation where the only option was a lengthy two-and-a-half-hour ambulance journey to Prince Albert, incurring a substantial cost of $1,300 for a one-way trip.
Upon receiving the bill, Haynes expressed disappointment but stated that it was not unexpected given the circumstances. Nolan, diagnosed with a form of pneumonia, received treatment in Prince Albert for several days before being discharged.
The Opposition NDP highlighted the family’s ordeal during a news conference in Biggar, emphasizing the critical message it sends to rural communities in Saskatchewan regarding emergency medical services. NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson underlined the potential life-threatening implications of delays in accessing timely care due to distance.
The provincial government responded by stating its efforts to enhance hospital capacity in Saskatoon by introducing an additional 146 beds. It clarified that ambulance services are not covered under the Canada Health Act, and there is no insurance coverage for inter-hospital ambulance transfers.