The Saskatchewan Health Authority will be assuming all responsibility for Extendicare facilities in the province.

The formal agreement was announced Thursday, and according to a news release issued by the SHA, a process to transfer operations that maintains consistent care and service for residents and their families is being established.

Work is also underway to ensure staffing is stable with health system and union partners. No immediate changes will be noticed by staff, residents or families.

During the course of the transition, both organizations will operate within the framework of the existing co-management agreement.

This comes after a COVID-19 outbreak at Parkside Extendicare became the province’s deadliest outbreak, and raised questions about private long-term care providers in the province. It led to an official review and scathing report from the provincial ombudsman.