Summer slowing down surgeries in Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region

The Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) is once again slowing down the number of elective surgeries it performs over the summer months.

The same approach was taken in previous years to accommodate both the vacation needs of staff and patients.

Sandy Euteneier, executive director of surgical surgeries with RQHR, insists there is an element of financial consideration to this planning.

“Not having surgeons there when nurses aren’t and vice versa, so it is just good planning,” Euteneier explained. “We don’t want the staff there not doing what they should be doing.”

As per the requirements to the Ministry of Health, RQHR must perform a certain number of surgeries each year. While there is a slow down in summer, the number of surgeries performed outside of those months is ramped up.

While elective surgeries will see a slow down, emergency and trauma surgeries will still be performed.