Health officials are admitting that Alberta Hospital is over capacity. The mental health facility is so crowded day cots have been brought in for patients.
CTV News was told the demand for beds at Alberta Hospital is so high that patients are often doubled or tripled up in rooms, with some patients have even had to sleep in the TV viewing area.
Alberta Health Services says it is trying to deal with the issues. It confirms it has opened up over-capacity beds on site. Officials tell CTV News it is routine procedure when there is a spike in the number of patients.
"It fluctuates from a daily basis to an hourly basis. For example, at this time last year we had 26 empty beds at that site," said Kerry Williamson with Alberta Health Services.
Health officials maintain patients who need treatment are getting it.
But that claim is not good enough for critics who aren't surprised Alberta Hospital is making headlines for a second time.
In January, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees AUPE led protests about proposed bed closures at the site and celebrated when the government backed down from its decision.
The province soon promised a new 150-bed facility with a pricetag of $43 million, would open later this year.
The province said once the centre was fully staffed and equipped, the province would transfer the regional geriatric psychiatry program from the hospital to the new site.
But with delays to the completion of that particular project, there's concern not enough is being done to address current needs of both patients and staff.
"They're extremely frustrated that they're constantly not knowing what the future holds for them," said Guy Smith, AUPE president.
One Alberta Hospital patient says she's too afraid to leave the hospital to visit family in case her bed is given to someone else.
"Help us make it not so difficult to become well," said Coreen Stewart.
AUPE says the situation could get much worse. It claims the demand for beds tends to spike after the first snowfall hits.
With files from Jessica Earle
