Red Cross nurses stationed at Loverna in the 1950s

By Joan Janzen

Did you know the community of Loverna had a resident doctor until November 1944? Loverna is located 50 km northwest of Kindersley. An article published in the history book entitled ‘The School Beneath the Hill’ details healthcare access in that region following the Second World War.

Lee Shapley was the first nurse to arrive at Loverna’s Red Cross nursing station in 1950. Lee (on the left) is pictured in front of the nursing station, accompanied by Kathleen DeMarsh, Director of Red Cross for Saskatchewan at that time. Photo RM of Antelope Park history book

The Saskatchewan Hospitalization Plan began in 1951, covering hospital bills and some medication. At that time, coverage was $10 per person and $30 per family. In 1954, the rates increased to $15 per person and $40 per family, eventually rising to $36 per person and $72 per family. Later on, the government instituted free hospitalization for Saskatchewan residents.

However, before that happened, the residents of Loverna began a fund to convert a printing office into a Red Cross nursing station. The completed project included an office, one bed, and living quarters for the nurse. The Red Cross at Regina sent out Red Cross nurses, and the first to arrive was Lee Shapley. The nurses visited the sick in their homes and kept patients in the hospital when necessary. The nursing station continued to serve the community for eleven years, closing its doors in 1961.

After the closure, the people of the Antelope Park district travelled to Consort, Kindersley or Kerrobert for healthcare services.