SHA finalizes $13.1 million deal with Saskatchewan Extendicare Homes
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has finalized its agreement with Extendicare, officially assuming operations of the company’s five long-term care homes in the province.
The deal will cost the province $13.1 million for Extendicare properties in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Regina.
The initial announcement was made in October 2021, explaining that the SHA, with the support of the Government of Saskatchewan, would assume full responsibility for the delivery of long-term care services in homes and work with Extendicare on the transition of services to SHA.
This followed the province’s deadliest COVID-19 outbreaks. Thirty-nine residents have died from COVID-19 and 194 of 198 residents have been infected.
Read more:
As bivalent boosters roll out, Extendicare Elmview outbreak in Regina sees all 46 residents infected
Read more
As bivalent boosters roll out, Extendicare Elmview outbreak in Regina sees all 46 residents infected
A report also criticized the facility for overcrowding and insufficient protective equipment for staff.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Paul Merriman explains SHA’s involvement during the crisis.
« The SHA stepped in and co-managed for a while and it was a temporary solution to get to the complete solution that was the SHA and the government will now take ownership of those facilities, » he said in a statement. communicated to Global News.
Completion of the deal requires the transition of Extendicare staff members. The only change for unionized staff is their employer, while 26 of the 30 non-unionized employees have accepted positions at SHA.
The SHA said it is “committed to ensuring continued high quality and safe care and services for all residents of the five homes, as well as an environment where loved ones feel welcome and part of the care team. Our goal was to make this transition as smooth as possible for all residents, their families and staff.
Barbara Cape, President of Service Employees International Union West, explains the period of transition that Extendicare staff are currently going through.
Read more:
Saskatchewan. Health Authority assumes responsibility for 5 Extendicare Homes
« The transition happened behind very closed doors. » Cape confirmed that many staff members have unresolved issues that make it harder to focus on their work. These questions have been communicated to the SHA.
When asked if the transition to SHA employment had been smooth, Cape could not provide a definitive answer.
« The reason I’m not sure is because of the absolute lack of any real information to staff or unions working in the establishments. It’s been alarming.
Cape explains that Extendicare staffing has not always been able to keep up and something they would like to see from the SHA is more robust staffing initiatives.
“The relationship between a long-term care provider and a resident is also a family relationship. Residents and their families want to be sure that there is no stress, anxiety, lingering questions and that they can just focus on putting their professionalism to the test each day.
Read more:
Parkside Extendicare resident’s son optimistic about transition to SHA
Asked about future plans for change and improvement, the SHA replied, “Residents and families should see no change in the delivery of their care. In most cases, the staff providing this care will not change, which means residents and families will not see a change in this relationship.
“We are committed to ensuring continued high quality and safe care and services for all residents of the five homes, as well as an environment where loved ones feel welcome and part of the care team. Our goal was to make this transition as smooth as possible for all residents, families and staff.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
globalnews
