Battlefords NDP candidate concerned about Saskatchewan Hospital audit findings

“I’ve said it before, but this building should have been a shining light for the Battlefords, bringing jobs, bringing people and creating a safe and therapeutic environment for the people living in the [Saskatchewan] hospital,” she said. “And, instead we are let down again.”

Stewart is alarmed the electrical summary indicates there are concerns with being able to determine the location of a distress call, needed to elicit the appropriate support, due to the type of call system implemented. However, the report says staff can phone the operation security centre directly to report a distress call, as another option.

Stewart also has issues with building code violations referenced in the audit.

She is also concerned the report indicates there are not enough sprinklers in the facility in case of a fire.

“To me that puts the staff and the people living there in danger every single day,” she said.

The findings point to the need for a Sask. First procurement policy, she said, to hire Saskatchewan companies first.

“If this was a Saskatchewan-based company that would have built this hospital, they live in the communities, they work in the communities, they get their groceries where we get our groceries. So they have to see the impact of their building,” Stewart said. “Investing in Saskatchewan workers is investing in the people of our province. The Sask. First procurement policy would really go a long way in these big builds.”

The province said Central Services is working with Access Prairies Partnership (APP) to remedy the issues identified in the audit report, while making building and fire code requirement items a priority.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Battlefords NDP candidate concerned about Saskatchewan Hospital audit findings

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