This statement is being issued on behalf of the Saskatchewan Health Authority regarding an incident resulting in a patient death early today at Royal University Hospital.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is committed to accountability and to ensuring a safe care environment for patients, visitors, and staff. The SHA is supporting an investigation into the death of a patient at Royal University Hospital following an incident involving SHA Protective Services Officers. The SHA takes this incident extremely seriously and we extend our sincere condolences to the patient’s family and loved ones.

On the morning of Friday, Jan. 9, SHA Protective Services Officers were called to a patient room after staff reported a safety concern involving an admitted patient. During the response, a physical altercation occurred between the patient and SHA Protective Services Officers, and the patient became unresponsive. Medical staff responded to provide patient care and pronounced the patient deceased.

The SHA immediately notified the Saskatoon Police Service, who are actively investigating the incident. The SHA is fully cooperating with the police investigation and has deemed this a Critical Incident, which initiates a legislated process for review and reporting, including a formal internal review.

The SHA is coordinating with the Saskatoon Tribal Council to provide supports to the patient’s family and loved ones. The SHA is also providing support to staff members impacted by this incident.

As the investigation is ongoing, and out of respect for those involved, no further information is available at this time. Additional updates will be provided when appropriate.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) expanded point-of-care testing to the Assiniboia Union Hospital Integrated Facility emergency department.

Point-of-care testing is a supplementary initiative that enables trained local health-care team members to rapidly conduct essential diagnostics on-site at facilities when laboratory professionals are unavailable. Several tests can be performed using point-of-care testing technology, including:

• hemoglobin to evaluate anemia and blood loss;

• white blood cell counts to determine the presence of infection;

• urinalysis for assessing kidney function and detecting urinary tract infections; and,

• cardiac markers to evaluate heart health.

When needed, these tools support timely clinical decision-making and ensure residents benefit from seamless access to their local emergency health services.

This care delivery initiative is already supporting residents in nine other rural communities across the province access emergency department services where and when they need it. Since 2023, point-of-care testing has prevented 253 potential service disruptions, as of December 12, 2025.

Laboratory services are one of several components required to keep emergency departments operational. The point-of-care testing program is part of an overall strategy to enhance access to rural and remote emergency departments. The SHA and Government of Saskatchewan are committed to recruiting staff to rural laboratories.

The SHA appreciates the health-care teams in rural and remote communities, who work to minimize service disruptions and ensure emergency department services remain available to residents in the communities they serve.

The Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) will have reduced hours today closing at 4:00 p.m., due to an unanticipated physician absence. There will be reduced hours on Tuesday, January 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to physician availability. The Regina Urgent Care Centre will return to its regular hours of operation of 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. the following days on January 3 and January 7. 

During times when the Regina Urgent Care Centre is not operating, patients experiencing medical emergencies should call 9-1-1 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department at:

• Regina General Hospital – 1440 14th Avenue, Regina; or
• Pasqua Hospital – 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina.

For non-emergency medical care, patients can access information and care by: 

• Calling HealthLine 811 – For professional health and mental health advice available 24/7.
• Visit a walk-in clinic – Check local clinic hours as schedules may vary.
• Connect with your pharmacy – Some pharmacies may be open and can assist with minor health concerns.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) would like to thank physicians, health care providers and staff who ensure our patients can access high quality care across the province. The SHA appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is reminding the public of upcoming changes in hours for Regina Urgent Care Centre (UCC) over the holiday break, which are to accommodate physician availability, staffing holidays, and to proactively ensure the availability of patient services.

The Regina UCC operates seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the exception of these specific dates over the holiday break:

•    Sunday, Dec. 21 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed early)
•    Thursday, Dec. 25 – closed    
•    Friday, Dec. 26 – closed
•    Wednesday, Dec. 31 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed early)
•    Thursday, Jan. 1 – closed

During times when the Regina Urgent Care Centre is not operating, patients experiencing medical emergencies should call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department at:
•    Regina General Hospital – 1440 14th Ave., Regina; or 
•    Pasqua Hospital – 4101 Dewdney Ave., Regina.

For non-emergency medical care, patients can access information and care by: 
•    Calling HealthLine 811 – For professional health and mental health advice available 24/7.
•    Visit a walk-in clinic – Check local clinic hours as schedules may vary.
•    Connect with your pharmacy – Some pharmacies may be open and can assist with minor health concerns.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) would like to thank physicians, health care providers and staff who ensure our patients can access high quality care across the province. The SHA appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation. 
 

Emergency teams and communities across Saskatchewan will soon benefit from enhanced lifesaving technology following the donation of five LUCAS 3.1 mechanical chest compression devices from the Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The devices will support rural emergency medical services staffed and supported by Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan members.

The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan (HSAS) is a union representing over 4400 specialized health care professionals across the province including over 500 paramedics.

The donation, valued at more than $100,000, will support emergency medical services teams in La Loche, Beauval, Estevan, Weyburn and Esterhazy — communities identified by the Saskatchewan Health Authority as high-priority locations based on call volumes and historical cardiac arrest data. These units will be integrated into service in the coming weeks.

The LUCAS 3.1 device delivers automated, consistent chest compressions at the correct depth and rate, improving the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during cardiac arrest while reducing responder fatigue. By ensuring continuous, high-quality compressions, the device frees paramedics to focus on other critical tasks such as airway management, medication administration and scene coordination — especially valuable during long transports and in rural settings where staffing may be limited.

“Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan is proud to support rural emergency medical services with this donation. Paramedics in rural communities provide critical, life-saving care, often under challenging circumstances and over long travel distances,” said Karen Schmid, Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan President. “We are pleased to contribute equipment that will help them continue this vital work and improve patient outcomes across rural Saskatchewan.”

HSAS emphasized that this contribution reflects its commitment to supporting both rural paramedics and the communities they serve.

“This donation directly strengthens frontline emergency care in our province,” said Rod MacKenzie, Executive Director, Provincial Clinical & Support Services-Community Care, Saskatchewan Health Authority. “The LUCAS devices support our teams by delivering consistent, high-quality chest compressions, essentially acting as an extra set of hands during CPR. They also enhance provider safety by reducing the need for staff to perform manual compressions for prolonged periods, allowing paramedics to focus on other critical aspects of patient care.”

Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan thanks the Saskatchewan Health Authority for its collaboration in identifying priority sites to ensure the devices make the greatest possible impact on patient care across Saskatchewan.

December is a time for celebrations and spending time with family and friends. To keep everyone safe and healthy, make sure you’re protected from influenza and COVID-19. Vaccination helps lower the risk of getting sick and spreading illness during the busy holiday season.

It also takes about two weeks for the vaccines to provide full protection, so getting them as soon as possible is the best way to stay healthy.

If you’ll be around people who are most at risk of serious illness, including adults over 65 years old, people with chronic health conditions and/or compromised immune systems, children under five and pregnant people, your immunization helps protect them too.

Visit 4flu.ca to find out how to get vaccinated. Vaccines are available at Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) immunization clinics, participating pharmacies, and some physician and nurse practitioner offices.

Keep your gatherings full of joy, not germs. Get your influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations and share the gift of good health!