Opposition calls on Manitoba gov't to shore up Grace hospital after nurse shares concerns about patient care

Recent allegations of patients waiting in hallways at Grace Hospital's emergency department while their condition is deteriorating shouldn't be news to the province's health minister, the NDP alleges.

The Official Opposition tabled aletter during question period Tuesday from what the party said was ananonymous health-care worker at the Grace, who said staff at the overrunemergency department are"in no way ready for the third wave" of the pandemic.

The letter stated it is "not uncommon" for patients towait in hallways for 50 hours before receiving care. Itsaid nurses are stretched so thin they sometimes don't realize when the condition of some patients in the hallway is declining.

"TherearemanydaysIwishIcouldduplicatemyself fouror five times to make sure all of my patients get the care they need," the letter reads.

"Missedmeds,rushedandskippedassessments,delayedhygiene,falls,bedsoresaredailyoccurrences."

Province is 'barely being reactive:' NDP

After question period, Health Minister Heather Stefanson promised to investigate these concerns, but the NDP's health critic Uzoma Asagwaraalleged Stefansonhas been aware of these issues for much longer.

"I would ask the minister why she hasn't responded to the concerns these nurses and health-care workers have been bringing forward for months. We've raised this issue a number of times in question period," Asagwara said.

"All it shows me is that, again, this government is failing to be proactive. They're barely being reactive at this point. It shows a level of complacency that is putting people at risk in our health-care system."

The NDP held a news conference outside Grace Hospital last month, in which they made public a letter froma woman who wrote her93-year-old mother was subjected to "torture" as she waited in the ER hallway for five days.

Earlier on Tuesday, CBC News reported Grace ERpatients are not getting their medications in time, missing bathroom breaks and languishing for daysin hallways, according to a nurse who was granted anonymity. She saidsignificant staffing problems are to blame.

It's obvious the pleas for help from hospital staff have gone unheard, Asagwarasaid

"It is well past the point that the government should have acted," the NDP's health critic said.

Stefansontold reporters following question period she hasn't had the chance to read the letter presented on Tuesday. She noted the letter appeared to be unsigned (which it was), so she doesn't know if she can respond back.

"I'll certainly talk to the regional health authority about that and see if this is actually the reality of what's going on, I'm not sure," the health minister said.

"But you know, I do want to assure:if there is challenges out there, we will address them."

Stefansonsaid Manitoba is working to address the years-long problem of staffing shortages. The province is working to create60 full-time nursing positions dedicated to critical care. She said more than 12 of those full-time positions will be assigned to Grace Hospital.

A freedom of information document obtained by the NDP showsGrace Hospital had 16 of 80 nursing positionsvacant in its emergency departmentthis January.

'No evidence' patients not receiving care: WRHA

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority acknowledged Grace Hospital isstruggling with staffing, as are other health-care facilities, and theseproblems are exacerbated by the admission of more patientsas the number of COVID-19 cases have climbed.

"Unfortunately, the isolation requirements for patients who present with suspected COVID-19 symptoms, the demand on inpatient admissions, and bed availability does, on occasion, result in patients waiting in the [emergency department] or another area for longer than desired," the statement said.

"Patient safety is our top priority, and there is no evidence to support the claim that patients who come to the [emergency department]at Grace Hospital are not receiving the care they need due to staff shortages or other COVID-19 safety measures."

The health authority said management is meeting regularly with emergency room staff to hear and address their concerns.

Opposition calls on Manitoba gov't to support Grace hospital after patient care concerns

3 years ago

Duration 2:12

Recent allegations of patients waiting in hallways at Grace Hospital's emergency department while their condition is deteriorating shouldn't be news to the province's health minister, the NDP alleges.