The Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan launched a campaign advocating for more resources to be directed toward addressing the shortage of Occupational Therapists in Saskatchewan.
“Occupational Therapists aid in recovery from illness or injury and help people safely return to daily activities,” HSAS President Karen Schmid explains. “Unfortunately, there simply are not enough Occupational Therapists available to meet the needs of Saskatchewan patients, resulting in a strain on our healthcare system.”
There are currently more than 50 vacant Occupational Therapist positions across Saskatchewan, with many of those vacancies remaining unfilled for months.
“When Occupational Therapist positions sit vacant, the impact is felt by patients and families,” Schmid continues. “People can face longer waits for care, slower recoveries, and increased difficulty returning to work, school, home, and community activities.”
Occupational Therapists play a critical role throughout the healthcare system, helping patients build confidence, improve function, and maintain their independence. Without timely access to these services, individuals may struggle to safely navigate everyday tasks and achieve their recovery goals.
“Saskatchewan residents deserve access to these important services, and more needs to be done to recruit and retain Occupational Therapists to ensure that everyone gets the care they need.”
The reality is: these Occupational Therapy vacancies have real consequences.