I write to address the September 14 edition of the Preeceville Progress article “Hospital emergency and acute beds issues at Preeceville Hospital,” which contained inaccuracies and incomplete information that I wish to clarify.
From 2010 to March, 2016, Preeceville and District Health Centre experienced considerable interruptions to services, including 24/7 emergency room, acute and primary health care services. In this timeframe, the emergency service interruptions were substantial, with the number of affected days being 972.50, or 53.2 per cent.
In 2015-2016 this increased and we experienced 229 affected days or 62.7 per cent. During this time period, considerable physician recruitment efforts continued, and physicians were recruited to the community, however, many indicated in exit interviews that the excessive on-call required for 24/7 emergency room and acute care coverage frequently lead to burn out and did not provide adequate work/life balance.
Lack of communication from the region was noted in the article. The region understands the importance of communications with our communities. Since May, 2016, the region has initiated multiple news releases, meetings and presentations and communications with the town council, communications with individual community residents and the R.M., and a direct mailer to all residents of Preeceville and surrounding communities. As well, the Sunrise Regional Health Authority Board of Directors engaged with community members for a presentation and dialogue.
The region has maintained four flex beds, with no change to their intent since June, 2016, not January, 2017 as was stated in the article. Within the initial communications to the community in May, 2016 via both direct mailer and news release, it was indicated that four beds would be used for non-acute admissions – the term “flex beds” has been used from the start and continues today, to indicate that those beds may be used for respite, palliative, or alternate levels of care for non-acute needs (stable clients requiring supervised care).
Regarding staffing levels, the region is committed to ensuring that we are staffing appropriately for the safety of patients/clients, and staff. We would not deliver a program or service that is intentionally unsafe. Recruitment and retention challenges are not limited to physicians or to certain communities; we are often faced with these challenges in many communities and health care classifications.
Since January, 2017, residents of Preeceville and area have had predictable, seven-day a week access to ER services and primary care. This includes extended hours and same-day appointments on both weekdays and weekends at the Preeceville Primary Health Care Clinic. Since this time, there have been no service interruptions.
Sunrise Health Region remains committed to ensuring the best possible care to meet the needs of the community and we are pleased that the community is receiving consistent, uninterrupted, sustainable access to care.
Regards,
Christina Denysek
Interim President and CEO
Sunrise Health Region
