Sask. rural community raising concerns over long-term care bed closures [Video]

Nearly a third of long-term beds at a Duck Lake care home are closed, causing growing concern for community members.

Goodwill Manor is at the heart of the community, but it’s recently faced challenges, with seven of its 30 beds sitting empty.

“It’s a vital part of the community. It’s a major employer, and we need this to be maintained,” said Raymond Gauthier, chair of the board for Goodwill Manor.

Gauthier said the home was founded in the 1980s.

“We have one lady, who is 102-years-old, lives a block down the street and can’t get in,” he said.

“She was part of the vision to build this place back in the 80s and now she can’t even use it.”

In September 2022, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) told the board there would no longer be a physician to admit and oversee new patients.

Shortly after, Gauthier says a doctor from 100 kilometres away stepped in to help, but it …