St. Boniface Hospital emergency room is 'at and over capacity', Doctors Manitoba says
CTV
Manitoba's health care system continues to struggle as stressors such as staff shortages and COVID-19 cases strain staff.
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 President 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.”
