St. Boniface Hospital emergency room is 'at and over capacity', Doctors Manitoba says
Manitoba's health care system continues to struggle as stressors such as staff shortages and COVID-19 cases strain staff.
Dr. Kristjan Thompson, president of Doctors Manitoba and an ER doctor at St. Boniface Hospital, said as of Wednesday afternoon 47 out of the 55 ER beds are being used by people waiting for a hospital bed.
He said an admitted patient has been waiting 162 hours to leave the ER and go upstairs.
“That leaves you eight beds to run the second-busiest ER in Manitoba,” Thompson said in an interview. ‘’To say that our ERs are filled to the brim, at and over capacity, is really an understatement.”
The number of doctors at home because of COVID-19 has doubled this week to 55 doctors.
Thompson said while hospital statistics might seem scary – he wants people to seek medical care when needed.
‘’We are never going to close our doors and we are always here for you. Do not put your health on hold.”
George Kroupa’s father-in-law had a stroke in November, but a later infection brought him back to the hospital. Not long after, he was sent from Winnipeg to Roblin Health Centre but did not improve.
"When I asked the doctors and the nurses they said, 'Well, yeah he is getting worse,'” Kroupa said in an interview with CTV News. “We can't really help him here so we are going to try to reach out to other places where they can take him."
His father-in-law has been in Roblin for two months.
Shared Health said there are 69 patients receiving care outside of their communities as part of shared health’s inter-region protocols.
“While inter-region transfers have paused for the moment, they very much remain a strategy that will be utilized as needed to ensure ongoing capacity remains within medicine units across Manitoba to accept new admissions,” a statement emailed to CTV News from Shared Health said.
The president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, Darlene Jackson, said she wouldn’t be surprised if there are more hospital transfers in the future.
“You talk to nurses and what they say is five years ago I could never ever imagine giving care to this number of patients and this sick of patients by myself,” Jackson said in an interview with CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.