The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for action after an image was released that shows portable beds occupying an area previously used as a registration space at Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s Hospital. “This has become a pattern in our largest hospitals. For months, we’ve seen horrific images of hallway health care circulating in the media and online... families who object to their loved ones receiving care beside soiled laundries, in hallways, in conditions we can all agree are inexcusable in a wealthy province like ours,” NDP MLA Meara Conway said. According to Conway, the area shown in the picture was intended to serve as an outpatient unit for a number of addictions services. However, the area is currently being used to facilitate overflow patients from the emergency room. “No one should ever be forced to receive medical care on a makeshift hospital bed near a registration desk... they provide no dignity to the patients who are currently being forced to receive care there,” Conway said. The Saskatchewan Health Authority told CTV News that the area did have appropriate equipment, and emphasized that no beds designated as addictions treatment beds were used as a means to assist with the overflow. “The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) responded to increased demand for emergency services this week at St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH) by utilizing vacant space as a temporary patient care area adjacent to the emergency department,” the SHA told CTV in a statement. “The space was equipped with appropriate emergency department stretchers, equipment, supplies and staff. Temporary privacy panels were installed for patients to ensure their care was provided in private and did not impact outpatient services being offered nearby. This allowed for the delivery of safe patient care and continuity while managing pressures within the emergency department.”
