'We need action immediately': Red Deer leaders were pleading for help years before triaged ER patient's death
While people in Red Deer, Alta., mourn the loss of a triaged patient who died Sunday while awaiting care inside a hospital, some leaders in that community are making it known its health-care problems are not new.
"This is something that really transcends politics. You know, the death of a person that is trying to access basic medical services," said a sombre Mayor Ken Johnston.
Johnston offered condolences to the patient's family, and to local health-care workers who he believes are doing their best in "substandard" working conditions.
The mayor pointed out people in Red Deer have been sounding the alarm on health-care capacity for about 10 years, through PC, NDP and UCP governments.
"This part of Alberta is short on funding and short on infrastructure and we're just looking for what we think is equity, fairness," Johnston said. "If that message isn't ringing loud and clear this morning, I don't know what message would be clearly."
Wait times at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre peaked at 14 hours last weekend.
Alberta Health Services claims the hospital was fully staffed and an investigation is underway to determine if a long wait contributed to Sunday's death.
AHS acknowledged wait times were long due to a surge in demand and an increase in "very sick patients."
"I'm taking this matter very seriously, I've asked AHS for a report and they're looking into it," Health Minister Jason Copping said Monday while acknowledging an "infrastructure deficit" in central Alberta.
'I CAN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING FURTHER'
But according to a surgeon who works in that hospital, long wait times are nothing new.
Dr. Keith Wolstenholme told CTV News that RDRHC almost always runs at near or over 100 per cent capacity due to a shortage of beds.
"A patient that has been seen, assessed, needs to get to a bed...but there's no available bed. So they're occupying an emerg stretcher and that means somebody in the waiting room can't come to that emerg stretcher because there's already somebody in it," Wolstenholme explained.
"We had a big problem before and it's not gotten any better. It's probably gotten worse."
In 2015, an assessment by AHS found that the hospital was short 96 beds and 18 emergency room stretchers. Seven years later, no additional beds have been added.
Alberta has allocated $59 million for a hospital expansion, but that is less than the $100 million that was originally promised.
Copping was asked for an update on that Monday, but he said he couldn't provide specifics.
"We fully understand the need for increased infrastructure within the central zone. Work is being done on that, but I can't tell you anything further," he said.
That lack of information, and a continuing rush of COVID-19 patients across Alberta, has Red Deer doctors and its mayor with more questions than answers about what to do right now.
"Central Alberta and Red Deer can't wait any longer for this. We need action and we need action immediately," argued Dr. Kym Jim with the Society For Hospital Expansion in Central Alberta.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.