Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk is “optimistic” the provincial government will soon recognize, in a concrete way, the need for a regional primary health care centre in Warman.
“Our population numbers speak for themselves,” said Philipchuk. “We will be working to set up a meeting with Minister of Health Paul Merriman; and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Everett Hindley, to talk about what options might be available.
“Whether that takes the form of a primary care centre, a hospital, a full-service lab, or other facility. We would like to work with the province to define an appropriate facility, and what kind of funding would be available.”
Warman City Councillors unanimously adopted a resolution at their meeting on Monday, December 13 to send a letter to the two Ministers requesting a meeting on the issue.
The resolution came in the wake of discussion at the council meeting regarding a letter dated December 6. 2021, from Hindley to Avatex Developments President Jesse Rudge. The Hindley letter was cc’d to Philipchuk, Warman City Manager Bob Smith, and Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson, among others.
In his letter, Hindley poured cold water on a proposal for a primary and inpatient care centre for Warman put forward to the Minister July 13, 2021 by representatives of Avatex. The Avatex presentation was made by the late Gord Dmytruk, who passed away in October, 2021.
The Avatex proposal was developed and put forward by the company, independently of the city. Details of the Avatex proposal were not made public at the December 13 council meeting.
In his December 6 letter, Hindley said the Avatex proposal was reviewed by Ministry officials.
“Service need is a key consideration when contemplating the construction of any new facility,” said Hindley in his letter. “The Saskatchewan Health Authority and Ministry of Health work closely to understand the needs of the health system as a whole.
“Service and health facility infrastructure needs consider not only a single community but the surrounding area and catchment and proximate services/ facilities available. Within that broader context, a facility of this type is not supported in Warman at this time.
“That said, the Ministry and Saskatchewan Health Authority continually engage in ongoing planning based on population need and demographic changes over time to determine prioritization of new or replacement of infrastructure investment.”
Hindley went on to say “the challenge is to balance the most pressing needs of the health sector with the appropriate service responses and available resources.”
Warman City Councillor Marshall Seed said during the December 13 meeting that he was “bitterly disappointed” with the provincial government’s response, noting that Warman is a growing city that serves a large catchment area.
Warman City Councillor Richard Beck said while Warman is a city and is therefore obligated under provincial legislation to abide by the Cities Act, the province at the same time appears to consider Warman a ‘rural’ community when it comes to health care services.
Martensville-Warman MLA Terry Jenson, who observed the December 13 Warman City Council meeting from the public gallery, said he understands the frustration expressed by councillors.
“This is an issue that’s been talked about for many years,” said Jenson in an interview following the council meeting. “A primary health care centre is a real need, not just in Warman, but in the entire region.”
He said he will continue to work to facilitate discussions between the city and the Ministry to find a solution.
“This is not the end by any means,” he said. “The door is open for more discussion.”