A critical shortage of occupational therapists has forced Saskatchewan's largest hospital to make significant service adjustments, disrupting patient care and prompting internal concerns about staffing levels.
According to an internal memo obtained by CTV News, Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon is experiencing such severe staffing challenges in its occupational therapy department that services are being temporarily suspended in some areas.
Service Disruptions and Staff Redeployment
The staffing crisis has led to the temporary closure of the hospital's acute care occupational therapy services. Staff members are being redeployed to cover essential areas, including the intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, and cardiac care unit.
"We are experiencing a temporary shortage of occupational therapy staff," confirmed the memo circulated among healthcare workers. The document outlines how the hospital is scrambling to maintain critical services while dealing with the staffing gap.
Impact on Patient Care
Occupational therapists play a vital role in hospital recovery, helping patients regain independence in daily activities following illness, injury, or surgery. Their work includes:
- Assisting patients with mobility and self-care tasks
- Providing adaptive equipment and techniques
- Supporting cognitive and physical rehabilitation
- Facilitating safe discharges from hospital
The service reductions mean some patients may experience delays in accessing these crucial rehabilitation services, potentially affecting their recovery timelines.
Broader Healthcare Challenges
This situation at RUH reflects wider healthcare staffing challenges across Saskatchewan and Canada. The Saskatchewan Health Authority acknowledged the temporary nature of the changes but declined to provide specific details about when normal service levels might resume.
Healthcare unions and advocates have repeatedly warned about burnout and staffing shortages across multiple healthcare professions, with occupational therapy now joining the list of critical shortage areas.
The internal communication emphasizes that the hospital is working to minimize the impact on patients while actively recruiting to fill vacant positions. However, no timeline has been provided for when full occupational therapy services will be restored across all hospital units.
