Health authority to continue administration of Extendicare homes

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is going to keep overseeing operations at the Extendicare homes in the province for another month.

Originally, the SHA was to take over administration of the five homes for 30 days. The extension was made after the ombudsman released a scathing report into the COVID-19 outbreak at Parkside Extendicare in Regina.

Everett Hindley, the province’s minister of seniors, said at that time the purpose was to help the homes accept and implement the recommendations in the ombudsman’s report — despite the Extendicare company itself neither accepting nor committing to implement the recommendations.

Hindley said a report would come after the 30 days and then the government would “re-evaluate” its relationship with Extendicare, saying that ending the relationship would be on the table.

The first 30 days ended this past Saturday.

“As administrator, SHA has been overseeing clinical services at Extendicare homes in Saskatchewan, and reviewing operations in relation to recommendations by the Ombudsman,” the authority said in a statement.

The SHA said it’s finalizing a report and will share it with government soon. But to allow time for the report to be reviewed and considered, the authority will continue to administrate the Extendicare homes for another 30 days.

Despite the Extendicare homes being under SHA administration now, the workers will still be required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 12, as announced by the Extendicare company two weeks ago.