Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island, today announced that government will be increasing the complement of physicians and nursing staff in the QEH Emergency Department as a strategy to increase access to care and reduce wait times.
“This initiative builds on other recent investments such as the announcement on a single ambulance provider, increased orthopedic services, better information systems, locum support for mammograms, and the development of family health centres across P.E.I, added Premier Binns. “Combined, these initiatives provide Islanders with more timely and better access to health services.”
Prior to this announcement, there were 38 hours of physician coverage per day and the decision means that the Emergency Department will be working toward 48 hours of coverage each day when the Department is at a full complement. This translates to 10 full-time physicians and an additional 2.25 nursing positions to support the increased physician coverage.
In the past, there was a complement of eight physicians and 25 full-time equivalent nurses working in the Emergency Department. Currently, six permanent physicians are practising Emergency Medicine and two locum (temporary) physicians are working to cover two vacant physician positions while recruitment efforts are underway.
“The decision to increase staffing at the Emergency Department is building on government’s $47 million dollar commitment to redevelop the QEH,” added Chester Gillan, Minister of Health. “Currently a functional planning process is underway for the hospital, and this is the final phase before architectural design and reconstruction of the QEH occurs in areas such as the Emergency Department and Ambulatory Care.”
Dr. Chris Lantz, Chief of Staff for the QEH Emergency Department said, “Over time, this decision is going to provide a noticeable improvement to wait times for ER services. We recognize that the wait-time situation can change from hour to hour, depending on demand and the acuity level of patient conditions being presented. However, a strengthened team will be beneficial to both public and staff.”
The Department of Health is currently working closely with Emergency Department physicians and staff to recruit four permanent Emergency Department physicians and additional Emergency nurses at the QEH.
“The annual cost of this initiative is approximately $500,000 for additional physicians and an additional $150,000 for nursing coverage which translates to a $650,000 investment. This contributes to government’s continuing efforts to provide Islanders with appropriate access to care and reducing wait times for services.”