SHA emails released by NDP reveal capacity crisis at Saskatoon hospitals

The Saskatchewan NDP is sounding the alarm bell after two internal emails identified a bed shortage at two Saskatoon hospitals.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority memos, dated Nov. 1 and 2, were sent to staff in response to the “severe acute care capacity crisis” at Royal University and St. Paul’s Hospital.

The Nov. 1 email asked leadership to mobilize teams across the province to help address the crisis. An email dated Nov. 2 revealed the hospitals have a combined 150 patients “not where they should be” and affecting the ability to provide patient care.

SHA – Deputy Chief Medical Office Memo – Capacity Crisis

SHA – Command Centre Memo – Provincial Capacity Alert (1)

“The Sask. Party government keeps saying everything is fine in our hospitals, despite mounting evidence that hallway medicine is the norm,” said leader Ryan Meili said in a news release Tuesday.

“These documents clearly show that people are being let down when they go to the hospital. They’re not getting the care they need.”

Meili reiterated the NDP’s call for proactive action to stem the flow of patients at hospital emergency rooms.

Meli called on the government to reverse cuts to seniors care and put more money into mental health programs.

Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiter acknowledged the issue Tuesday in Regina, noting the SHA has activated a health command centre to deal with it.

“It’s all hands on deck right now. What the command centre is doing is communicating with everyone including doctors,” he told reporters.

“Patient flow through the hospital is a complex. It involves whether or not the patient can be released (and) where they can be released.”

Reiter said he hoped the congestion would be eased with a new 36-bed unit at RUH opening in the new year.