By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — She knew the end was near, and she wanted to be in her hometown hospital when it happened.

Registered nurse Lindsay Cross told the story of an elderly lady with failing health who had been in and out of the Davidson Health Centre in recent weeks.

She was back in the hospital in mid-September and wanted to stay put, but because of a service disruption, caused by a shortage of available staff, she had to be sent elsewhere.

Cross said the patient was transferred temporarily to Saskatoon, where she died that weekend.

“She wanted to die in Davidson,” Cross said, adding that the nurses couldn’t help feeling guilty over the situation. “It shouldn’t be that way.”

Cross was speaking at a public meeting about health care in the province, organized by the New Democratic Party and held at Davidson Town Hall on Tuesday.

Leading the meeting were NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon and health critic Danielle Chartier.

Wotherspoon said the meeting was the first of many planned across the province in coming weeks, in both rural communities and urban centres.

The forums are being held in response to a recent string of job cuts in multiple health regions as a result of limited funding.

“Day after day, we’re seeing too many cuts across Saskatchewan,” said Wotherspoon. “Services aren’t up to the standard that they need to be.”

He was also critical of the review currently underway by the provincial government, which is seeking options to reduce the number of health regions in Saskatchewan.

A formal feedback process was open to the public between Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, and the advisory panel also held consultations with key partners and stakeholders.

According to the government, over 300 submissions were received from the public.

Chartier said they are concerned about the speed at which the review was carried out as well as the methods being used.

“Our goal is to be an effective opposition,” she said. “We’re very concerned that these local voices are not going to be part of the discussion.”

“We’ll be advocating in a constructive way, whenever and wherever possible,” said Wotherspoon, adding that his party would work to protect, improve and strengthen Saskatchewan’s health care system.

He acknowledged that Tuesday’s event was somewhat “intimate,” blaming the inclement weather and the Blue Jays game for the low turnout.

Just 14 people were in attendance, including seven residents of Davidson and Craik, but those present had plenty to say.

For the full story, see the Oct. 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.