Sask NDP demands investigation of Lumsden Treatment Centre over whistleblowers accusations

Sask NDP is urging the provincial auditor to investigate the Lumsden Treatment Centre, amid explosive allegations of financial issues, failed treatment services, and misleading public statements by the Sask Party government.

At a press conference, whistleblowers, including former employees, claimed the centre charged taxpayers for unused care beds while sending Saskatchewan patients to a related facility in British Columbia. 

Some clients were reportedly advised to pay $25,000 out of pocket for treatment. 

The accusations contradict the government’s repeated claims that 60 beds were “open” at the Lumsden site, even though it is not fully operational.

Former Admission Coordinator Mandy Challis said she quit out of frustration, citing a workplace culture driven by profit rather than patient care. 

“We spent most of the time doing dry runs in the event we actually did have patients,” said Challis. 

“I applied to work there because I wanted to help people, but it was a horrible culture.”

The whistleblowers also pointed to a makeshift webcam “day program” that the government rushed to implement after allegedly being caught lying about inpatient services. 

Sask NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Betty Nippi-Albright called for immediate answers from the government.

“We deserve to know how much money has been wasted on this failed project,” said Nippi-Albright. 

“Families coping with addiction need real treatment options right away.”

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Lori Carr responded by mentioning ongoing renovations at the facility for fire safety issues.

“Participants of the program are offered intensive programming that includes individual and group counselling and engage in treatment seven days a week,” said Carr in a statement to the Western Standard.

“Participants will engage in treatment from four to 16 weeks, depending on the person’s unique needs. Staff at the facility are also available for after hours on call support to participants 24/7 in case people in the day program find themselves struggling when they return to their home each night.”

“We anticipate making an announcement regarding the operations at Willowview Recovery Centre in the coming days, as renovations progress,” said Carr.