'Isn't a blip': Sask. NDP says no ambulance was available 1,132 times since February

There were 1,132 times since February where there was not an ambulance available in Saskatchewan, according to data obtained by the provincial NDP.

There were 1,132 times since February where there was not an ambulance available in Saskatchewan, according to data obtained by the provincial NDP through an access to a information request.

“This isn’t a blip or an anomaly, this happens all the time,” NDP MLA and Health Critic Vicki Mowat said during question period on Tuesday.

The documents from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were logged from Feb. 14 to Oct. 2.

In Northern Saskatchewan, there were 172 instances where no ambulance was available to respond immediately, and in rural communities, there were 579.

In Regina, there were 323 instances. Saskatoon and Prince Albert were not included in SHA’s report, since they are serviced by private ambulances serve them, according to the NDP.

“These are real people, and I know one of these 323 people who didn’t have access to an ambulance when they needed one,” said NDP MLA Jared Clarke during question period.

“She lives in Regina, she’s 92 years old. She laid on her kitchen floor for an hour and 40 minutes after falling and breaking her hip.”