Shortage of occupational therapists disrupts services at RUH, leaked memo says

A shortage of occupational therapists at Royal University Hospital is causing disruptions to nine hospital services.

A shortage of occupational therapists at Royal University Hospital (RUH) is disrupting nine hospital services, including the emergency department and general surgery, according to a leaked Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) memo.

The internal memo, dated Sept. 25 and provided by the NDP, says occupational therapists will be redirected to priority areas such as oncology, orthopedics and trauma to cover staffing shortages. Other departments, including general surgery, cardiology and the emergency department will see a temporary pause in occupational therapy services unless there is available capacity.

The SHA confirmed occupational therapy services at RUH have been adjusted due to vacancies.

“Existing occupational therapy services will focus on patients where intervention will have the largest impact on patient outcomes and the health system,” the SHA said in a statement.

The NDP called the situation unacceptable, saying many of the affected services are time sensitive.

“There’s a very narrow window of time after a stroke or surgery when patients need these therapies in order to regain full capacity,” said NDP MLA Keith Jorgenson. “Delaying occupational therapy could be the difference between someone learning to walk again and someone not learning to walk again.”

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Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the province recognizes the pressure staffing shortages are placing on health-care workers.

“It is the focus of this government, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, to get those vacancies filled as soon as possible,” Cockrill told reporters Tuesday.

He said a new occupational therapy program at the University of Saskatchewan, set to begin next fall, will help with recruitment and retention efforts.

“We know that the closer we can train professionals to home, the better chance we have to recruit and retain them right here in the province,” Cockrill said.

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS), which represents about 4,000 specialized health-care workers including occupational therapists, said it’s working with the province to address staffing challenges at RUH.

“Unfortunately, a nationwide shortage of occupational therapists has made this a complex and challenging issue to resolve,” HSAS said in a statement.