Sask. budget cuts hospital chaplain services

Provincial budget cuts have left yet another service slashed, this time it’s spiritual care.

The move to eliminate chaplains and other religious leaders from health care facilities is expected to save the province $1.5 million dollars.

According to Simon Lasair, with the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care, this will affect patients.

“We know that this decision is going to be depriving patients in Saskatchewan of a very important service, and we’re very disappointed with the government’s decision,” he said.

Spiritual care providers visit with patients and their families facing end-of-life, major surgeries, and mental health concerns.

“I get to pray with them if they so desire, or simply get to wish them well and offer a word of hope,” Lasair, who’s also a chaplain in Saskatoon, said.

The association is calling for a moratorium to eliminate funding until the province-wide health region is in place.

According to a provincial spokesperson, spiritual care can continue in health care facilities through non-profit groups and churches, but not at the cost of taxpayers.

Phillip Weaver President with #cdnpoli Assocation for Spiritual Care not happy about 1.5 mill cuts to prayer in hospitals #skpoli #yxe pic.twitter.com/S2Lj66Gl0Q

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) April 28, 2017

-with files from 650 CKOM’s JT Marshall