Dear Editor:
Over the years, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) has drawn attention to the chronic understaffing of specialized health care professionals. Saskatchewan’s economic boom did not end understaffing. Access to needed health care services provided by a variety of specialized health care professionals did not improve. Annually, we commission surveys of the public and consistently they report understaffed services that cannot provide the care that they need, when they need it.
The recent provincial budget will cause further deterioration in services. The province wide Parent Mentoring Program (PMP) which targeted families at risk, was eliminated. PMP evolved over the past 20 years. Mentors shared parenting and lifestyle skills aimed at reducing risks to children. Research has shown that every $1.00 spent on early childhood health and development can save up to $9.00 in future health, social and justice services. The Government claimed that cutting the program would save $1.4 million. The human cost of their decision is not measurable.
The provincial budget also axed the Hearing Aid Plan (HAP), which existed for over 40 years. The nine audiologists employed by HAP provided services to all ages and were located in Saskatoon, Regina, Yorkton and Moose Jaw.
Saskatchewan already had the lowest number of audiologists per capita. In comparison, Manitoba has 64 audiologists, 34 of those employed in publicly funded positions. Saskatchewan could now be reduced to three audiologists in publicly funded positions.
Saskatchewan newborns are at a disadvantage because of no province wide Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. Early identification and intervention by six months of age has shown 20% to 40% better performance on school – related language measures than children identified later. A newborn hearing-screening test costs about $35.00; a small investment in a child’s future. No province wide EHDI program is shortsighted and lacks common sense.
Adults with hearing loss also struggle. 47% of Canadians between the ages of 15 and 64 with a hearing limitation report being unemployed. Elimination of HAP does not improve access to hearing aids, which could assist in gaining employment.
Residents of this province are the past, the present and the future. Our Government has a responsibility to make thoughtful decisions, not the recent knee jerk, shot gun approach to service cuts. Without prudent decisions, our society will pay dearly.
Karen Wasylenko
HSAS President
