Randy Zbuk News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Northern Saskatchewan's only child psychiatry unit is closing for the second time since 2019 because there are no child psychiatrists to run it.

"I’m disappointed for the families and the children I’m leaving behind. I wanted this to work. I didn’t want it to come to this."

Article content Saskatchewan’s advocate for children and youth says her office is working on a “state of the nation” report on children’s mental health and the services available to them. Lisa Broda said her office has spent more than a year going to every corner of Saskatchewan, asking hundreds of stakeholders what’s working, what isn’t, and what they want to see next.  We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. Child advocate examines mental health supports for children Back to video “It’s been a long-standing, persistent issue of this o...

Article content Saskatoon child psychiatrist Dr. Tamara Hinz said she is “thrilled” Zbuk has joined the team and commended the SHA for the hire, but said more has to be done to make his work sustainable. Hinz raised red flags about the shutdown of the Victoria Hospital unit last year; it represents a third of Saskatchewan’s total number of youth psychiatry beds, and its closure meant patients and families had to travel all the way to Saskatoon. “The last thing we want is for our new colleague to burn out with all the new work that there is to do,” Hinz said.

  SASKATOON -- The Prince Albert Child and Youth Inpatient Unit at the Victoria Hospital reopened this week, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The psychiatric unit temporarily closed last year following the death of a long-time youth psychiatrist and the retirement of another local psychiatrist. During the closure, patients were referred to Saskatoon for care. After hiring Dr. Randy Zbuk – who has over 10 years of experience in child and youth psychiatry – the unit was able to reopen on Tuesday. The health authority says it will reopen gradually, starting with five inpa...