P.E.I. hospitals operating at above-normal capacity, health authority asks for patience

The P.E.I. health authority is urging residents to only use emergency departments for urgent issues.

Hospitals on Prince Edward Island are operating at above-normal capacity, creating longer wait times and slowing the flow of patients through the system. Health PEI is asking Islanders for patience as they navigate the increased demand.

The health authority says there is a high number of patients who no longer need acute care. However, without a long-term care bed or the support of home-care services at their home, they remain in hospital, which leaves a high number of admitted patients filling beds in emergency departments.

Health PEI says 43 acute care beds were added to the system over the past year.

“Dedicated staff at Health PEI are leveraging all opportunities to add additional capacity in both acute and long-term care,” reads a news release from the health authority.

“Some patients may be asked to temporarily accept a long-term care bed in an alternate facility until a spot … in their preferred location becomes available. This will allow patients who need acute care to receive treatment in the most appropriate space but will only be done as a last resort.”

Islanders are being asked to use emergency departments for urgent and emergency needs only.

Health PEI is also asking residents to consider other care options when appropriate, such as:

• primary care providers
• walk‑in clinics
• calling 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse
• community pharmacies
• virtual care through Maple

Health PEI says it will continue to assess conditions daily and provide updates when needed.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.