Monday evening, Northern health advised that the Emergency Room at the Hospital will close from 11PM Tonight, to 8 AM on Tuesday morning.
As it was for March, April's closures begin due to the challenges of physician coverage for the facility.
Tonight's advisory came at just after 8 PM through the Northern Health social media page.
The overnight closure tonight comes after close to a week where residents did not have to worry about the decision whether to wait for morning, or face the ninety minute plus trip to Terrace.
Though it now appears that break from the concerning times, was but a temporary respite for residents
You can review the closures of March and the discussion they have generated in the community through our archive page.
In a recent globe and mail article, there is an increased strain on the medical system by repeat visitors. These visitors, though a small group, are the homeless or have no fixed address.
ReplyDeleteI talked to a few health care professionals in town and they have said the same thing. It’s taking up a lot of time, resources and the person comes back shortly without taking the medication subscribed or not listening or acting upon the remedy. It’s a good read. Does it have direct correlation to what’s happening in town? The homeless population has grown dramatically in the last year alone. Same time health care professionals have quit.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-emergency-room-homeless-patients/
2018 saw 71 homelessness in Prince Rupert.
Delete2023 saw 146 homelessness in Prince Rupert.
https://www.bchousing.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/Homeless-Count-Prince-Rupert-2023.pdf
Perhaps this is the reason for the relational security model that was introduced at PRRH.
These numbers don’t account for all the actual numbers. What about couch surfers, transient, and people living in large groups.
DeleteThe shelters in PR are always full, and there seems to be an influx of new, to town, people
I would estimate at any given time there are over 400 people with no fixed address.
Police also have issues prosecuting people with no known address. Especially for petty crime and small arson charges. Even open drinking in public spaces, the RCMP seem to not do anything about that anymore
I believe it is. I remember, less than 5 years ago, there was only 1 security officer walking the lower floor.
ReplyDeleteNow that has increased to 4 plus implementation of check points.
People need to bring this more into the spotlight for the leaving medical staff. The strain, possible abuse (physical or mental), and dealing with the same group of people day in and out. What kind of effect does that have on the medical staff. What about someone looking to go into the medical field having to witness what an actual day to day entails.
Its a touchy subject, but all points and reasons for recent departure need to be accounted for