Saskatchewan MLA Voices Outrage Over Mother's 100-Hour Hospital Hallway Wait
NDP MLA Joan Pratchler has publicly condemned the healthcare system after her 89-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, spent four days—equivalent to 100 hours—in a hallway at Royal University Hospital (RUH) in Saskatoon following a stroke. The elderly patient finally received a proper room on Thursday morning after the prolonged and distressing wait.
"A Hallway as Long as a City Block"
Pratchler described the scene as deeply unsettling, noting that the hallway where her mother was placed stretched "as long as a city block." Beds were lined up end to end, each equipped with only a night table, a garbage can, and a plastic chair for family members. "I sat with her and tried to tell her over and over where she was and why she was here, and she could not speak because she had a stroke," Pratchler recounted, emphasizing the emotional toll on both patients and families.
She stressed that quality care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's. While commending hospital staff for their efforts and acknowledging that "everybody's doing their very best with what they have," Pratchler pointed out that resources are insufficient. "It's not like they couldn't see this coming, and our older demographics in the province are pretty easy to read," she added, criticizing the lack of preparedness for an aging population.
Health Authority Responds to Capacity Pressures
In response, a Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) spokesperson stated via email that Saskatoon hospitals have been experiencing higher than average capacity levels in recent days, creating a difficult environment for patients, staff, and paramedics. The SHA highlighted ongoing efforts to address the issue, including daily connections with emergency department staff and physicians.
To alleviate overcrowding, the authority noted that an expansion of 109 acute care in-patient beds is underway at Saskatoon City Hospital, with completion expected by year-end. Additionally, 24 acute care and four ICU beds at St. Paul's Hospital, along with 36 acute care beds at RUH, are part of the Patients First Health Care Action Plan aimed at managing capacity surges.
Broader Healthcare Initiatives and Criticism
Earlier in the week, the provincial government announced a healthcare plan targeting nurse practitioner access and surgery wait times. Key actions include:
- Expanding virtual care and diagnostic services
- Increasing the number of nurse practitioners and urgent care centres
- Improving training and recruitment, with $78,000 over two years for those completing training under return-for-service contracts
However, Pratchler expressed skepticism, arguing that similar plans have been rolled out multiple times without successfully bringing more nurse practitioners into the province. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in Saskatchewan's healthcare system, particularly for vulnerable elderly patients, as capacity strains continue to impact patient care and dignity.
