For over a day, Guy Pollock remained in a hospital bed placed in the hallway of Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. A 71-year-old man with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and immunocompromised status, Pollock felt traumatized by the experience. He expressed his fear of contracting an illness due to his compromised lungs. Living in Watrous, Sask., about 90 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon, Pollock called 911 on October 15 when he experienced breathing difficulties and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Despite being initially admitted to an observation room upon arrival at the hospital, he was later moved to a hallway near the emergency room, where he spent more than 24 hours before being transferred to Saskatoon City Hospital.
Pollock emphasized that he holds no ill will toward the healthcare staff, acknowledging their efforts in caring for him. He recounted a nurse’s comment about worse hallway conditions in the hospital, reflecting on the challenges faced by both patients and medical personnel. Saskatchewan NDP associate health critic Keith Jorgenson visited Pollock, shedding light on the persistent issue of overcrowding in Saskatoon hospitals. The NDP raised the matter in the provincial legislature, directing questions at Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill.
Cockrill, while expressing empathy for Pollock, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services. He cited the allocation of additional funding to Saskatoon hospitals to improve patient flow and expedite room placements. Notably, the Saskatchewan Health Authority announced the addition of 109 new acute care beds at Saskatoon City Hospital, with 40 beds already operational. This initiative aims to address capacity issues and enhance patient care in the region.
