Island hospitals plan to keep more acute care beds open this summer and perform more elective surgeries compared to last summer, says Health PEI CEO Keith Dewar.
Health systems across the country close beds and reduce the volume of elective procedures in order to support vacations and reflect reduced demand for some elective services. “This year we will be temporarily closing fewer acute care beds due to the availability of additional nursing staff who can provide coverage and support to their colleagues over the summer,” said Dewar. “More stability in staffing allows our people to take well-deserved vacations and minimizes disruptions to services over the summer months.”
While a few hospitals will close some acute care beds across various units, emergency services, including emergency surgical services, will remain fully operational during the summer months. There will be a slight reduction in elective surgical services for a four-week period at both Prince County and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals with the exception of elective orthopedic surgical services, which will continue to be offered during the summer slowdown. Last year all elective surgical services were reduced for a five-week period.
Temporary acute care bed closures will take place during the summer months as follows:
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital: closing 24 beds from July 15 - August 22.
• Prince County Hospital: closing 11 beds from July 15 - August 22.
• Western Hospital: closing 5 beds from July 6 - September 5.
• There are no bed closures planned at Souris Hospital, Kings County Memorial Hospital, Stewart Memorial Hospital and Community Hospital O’Leary.
“We are beginning to see the benefits resulting through government support and the great work taking place across our health care system to increase the number of health care professionals and the number of physician and nursing seats. This is helping staff work to their full competency and it is a more effective use of resources,” Dewar said.
Islanders requiring non-urgent care are encouraged to seek services at their family physician’s office or a walk-in clinic. There are many walk-in clinics located across Prince Edward Island that provide non-urgent medical care; for a full list, visit www.healthpei.ca/walkinclinics.
Emergency departments will remain fully operational and the public should continue to seek services at a hospital in critical, emergency situations. Islanders should always bring their provincial health card and their current list of medications when going to hospital.
For more information, please visit www.healthpei.ca.