Sask. NDP, advocates call for full reopening of Moose Jaw hyperbaric chamber
CTV
Moose Jaw's hyperbaric chamber has now partially resumed services after being discontinued in 2021 due pandemic related staffing shortages. However, only one patient is currently being treated leading to criticism over a perceived lack of service.
Moose Jaw’s hyperbaric chamber has now partially resumed services after being discontinued in 2021 due pandemic related staffing shortages. However, only one patient is currently being treated, leading to criticism over a presumed lack of service.
Brayden Dutchak has long advocated for his mother, Tamara Heppner, who desperately needed life-saving hyperbaric treatment back in December.
At the time, Moose Jaw’s chamber was shut down and Heppner was forced to travel to Calgary to receive treatment.
Last month, the family was contacted by the Moose Jaw facility with an offer to finish Heppner’s treatment closer to home. Even though it was good news, Dutchak is frustrated by the problems the closure caused.
“The issue I have with that is they contacted us in the middle of March asking for all this stuff – I begged and pleaded back in December. She was on her deathbed in December,” he told reporters. “She didn't have time to fricking wait till the start of April to start her treatments.”
The chamber provides crucial oxygen therapy to those suffering from a multitude of conditions such as smoke inhalation or in Heppner’s case, recovering from radiation treatment.
Members of the Moose Jaw Fire Department, who helped fundraise for the chamber, were joined by Dutchak and the Saskatchewan NDP outside Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital to raise their concerns.
