Saskatchewan’s Expanding Private Surgical Centres Raise Concerns About Public Healthcare
As Saskatchewan continues to expand the use of private surgical centres, a policy expert is warning the province risks weakening the public healthcare system, particularly for patients with complex medical needs. The shift raises questions about equitable access to care and the sustainability of the public system.
The Two-Tier System Risk
Simon Enoch, Senior Researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) in Regina, explains that private surgical centres tend to focus on less complex operations. “Private surgical centres desire to do the least complex operations, the ones they can get done quickly and standardize,” Enoch explained. “They don’t want patients with complex needs as they can’t profit from them.”
This creates a situation where private centres handle simpler cases, while the public system, already under strain, is left with the most complicated and demanding patients. This imbalance can exacerbate existing wait times and resource limitations within the public healthcare system.
Impact on Public System Staffing
A significant concern raised by Enoch is the loss of healthcare professionals from the public system. “When you’re taking surgeons, nurses and healthcare professionals out of the public system to do these almost assembly-line procedures, you’re taking away the highly people needed to handle complex cases,” he said.
This staffing drain directly impacts wait times, particularly for the “1 in 10” most complex surgeries, which already face the longest and most inconsistent waits, according to the province’s own healthcare dashboard as noted by Enoch. The reduction in specialized personnel leaves the public system with increased demand and fewer resources.
Disproportionate Impact on Rural Communities
The effects of this shift are likely to be more pronounced in rural communities like Estevan, where residents already face significant travel distances to access specialized medical services. Rural Saskatchewan has been grappling with emergency room closures, staffing shortages, and disruptions in emergency coverage. Removing public-system personnel to support private surgical contracts could worsen these existing challenges.
Health and Economic Interconnectedness
Enoch also highlighted the connection between healthcare access and economic stability, particularly for families struggling with poverty. Lack of reliable healthcare options can contribute to worsening health outcomes, underscoring the interconnected nature of health and economic well-being.
Strengthening the Public System is Key
Enoch believes that expanding private surgical centres without simultaneously strengthening the public system is a risky approach. “If we keep shifting resources to private contractors, we weaken our ability to treat the very people who need the public system most,” he stated. The province is expected to continue expanding private surgical partnerships in the coming year.
Simon Enoch holds a BA in Political Science, a Masters in Labour Studies and a PhD in Communication & Culture and is the senior researcher for Saskatchewan issues and policies at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives according to the CCPA.