ER closures forced by shortage of doctors, nurses raise fears in rural Sask. – CBC

The towns of Kipling and Watrous have both had recent ER closures due to staffing shortages

Jul 09, 2025

Residents in some rural Saskatchewan communities say closures forced by a shortage of doctors and nurses have left them without access to emergency room services, forcing residents to travel long distances in critical moments.

“The closures are just … coming one after the other,” said Angela Silzer, who runs Interlake Human Resources Corporation, a non-profit organization and group home for adults with intellectual disabilities in Watrous, southeast of Saskatoon.

Silzer’s facility is across the street from the local hospital, which has had to close its ER dozens of times since the start of the year.

“We’re really concerned if we need emergency services,” Silzer said. Some of her patients have serious health issues that could require immediate attention.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/rural-er-closures-1.7580368