Moose Jaw Times-Herald: NDP critical of ER wait times

NDP criticizes emergency wait times at Wigmore hospital after records reveal long ER wait times

Danielle Chartier, NDP health critic, speaks to
the media about her concerns with wait times
as indicated in the NDP Freedom of Information
 request on Feb. 24, 2016 in the parking lot of
the Western Development Museum.
Lisa Goudy/Times-Herald

By Lisa Goudy

NDP health critic Danielle Chartier is concerned with hospital records showing people have been waiting hours at the Wigmore hospital.

An NDP Freedom of Information (FOI) request indicated that from Oct. 19 to Dec. 31, 2015, 57 emergent and urgent patients were in the waiting room for more than two hours at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital when they should've be seen within 15 and 30 minutes based on Canadian Trauma and Acuity State (CTAS) standards. CTAS 2 emergent patients need to see a physician within 15 minutes and CTAS 3 need to see a physician within 30 minutes, which includes moderate trauma, seizure, suicidal or acute pain.

Laurie Albinet, vice-president of clinical services in
 the Five Hills Health Region, talks with reporters in
response to the NDP criticisms of wait times at the
Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital on Feb. 24, 2016.
Lisa Goudy/Times-Herald

"This John Black lean design and operated hospital is failing patients. Can you imagine going into the hospital with a head injury or severe trauma, which is what CTAS 2 is ... and waiting four and a half hours?" said Chartier.

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