Sask. NDP calling on government to accept help to reimplement treatment and therapy for children

The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for pediatric treatments and therapies to be reinstated with federal help in the province.

In a release on Wednesday, the NDP said treatments and therapy options for children have been suspended as a result of health staff redeployment due to COVID-19.

“Kids with complex needs shouldn’t have to pay the price for this government’s mishandling of the fourth wave,” said Education and Early Years Critic Carla Beck. “It isn’t too late to change course — this government needs to admit we’re in trouble, pick up the phone, and ask for help.”

Beck called on the province Wednesday to reach out to neighbouring provinces and accept federal offers for help to see those treatments resumed for vulnerable kids in Saskatchewan.

“If we don’t act now, these kids will lose this valuable window for development and growth,” she said. “Worse, they could regress (and) suffer lifelong impacts from this disruption of care.”

Occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, child psychologists and physical therapists are among those in the health system who have been redeployed during the fourth wave. Many services at the Kinsmen Children’s Centre in Saskatoon and Wascana Rehab in Regina have been suspended.

The NDP said families have been noticing an impact on their children who have not had access to therapy and have had surgeries and other procedures cancelled.

Beck said Premier Scott Moe needs to step in to help ensure kids in the province are receiving these supports or, at the very least, call families to explain why their children cannot access services during this time.

“Imagine being able to just pick up the phone and ensure kids get the care they need, and choosing not to,” Beck said.