A Biggar family faced significant financial strain due to limited access to emergency services. Amy Haynes recounted the ordeal when her three-year-old son, Nolan, developed a high fever exceeding 40°C this spring. Concerned about the severity of the fever, they sought help at a local clinic, where they were informed that immediate emergency care was essential to prevent potential seizures.

Despite calling for an ambulance, the family was informed that all hospitals in Saskatoon, North Battleford, and Swift Current had no available beds. Frustrated by the lack of options, Haynes expressed her dismay at the situation, emphasizing the challenges they faced in accessing timely care.

With no other choice, Nolan had to endure a two-and-a-half-hour ambulance journey to Prince Albert, incurring a substantial cost of $1,300 for the one-way trip. Haynes described receiving the bill as disheartening but not unexpected, highlighting the unfair burden placed on them due to the unavailability of closer medical facilities.

Doctors in Prince Albert diagnosed Nolan with a form of pneumonia, prompting him to receive treatment for several days before being discharged to return home. The family’s distressing experience was brought to light by the provincial Opposition NDP during a news conference in Biggar, underscoring the broader implications of inadequate hospital resources in rural areas.

The NDP MLA, Keith Jorgenson, expressed concerns about the repercussions of limited hospital capacity on emergency responses and patient outcomes. In response to the situation, the provincial government assured efforts to enhance hospital capacity in Saskatoon by introducing an additional 146 beds. It clarified that ambulance services are not covered under the Canada Health Act, and there is no insurance coverage for inter-hospital ambulance transfers.