ST. PAUL - Five of the 10 acute care beds that have been temporarily closed at the St. Paul hospital since June of 2021 has been reopened.
Alberta Health Services confirmed that on Jan. 17, 2023, “with the addition of temporary agency nursing staff, the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre was able to reopen five acute care inpatient beds.”
The hospital has a total of 30 acute care beds, and 25 beds are now open and available for patients.
Also, “All existing services, including the emergency department and obstetrical services, are available,” according to information received from Shelly Willsey, a spokesperson with AHS.
Lakeland This Week reached out to Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller for comment on the reopening of five of the 10 beds.
She acknowledged she was very happy to hear the news.
“I know that administration and AHS has been working tirelessly to secure staff and adjust schedules to make this happen and on behalf of the community we are thankful,” said Miller.
She added, “We have had to divert service that can now be served here at home. We will continue to support the efforts of AHS to complete their commitment to have all ten beds open.“
According to Willsey, “Recruitment efforts continue as AHS works to ensure access to local health care services.”
In the information provided, AHS noted that temporarily reducing the number of inpatient beds at a health care facility is common practice when staffing levels are low. The reduction ensures that staff are able “to provide safe, quality care.”
Staffing challenges within the health care centre in St. Paul "are not unique in Alberta or, indeed, across Canada,” according to AHS.
Background
A memorandum dated June 4, 2021, addressed to "St. Paul and Elk Point Stakeholders" stated that due to a high number of registered nurse and licensed practical nurse vacancies, the decision was made to "temporarily not admit to 10 of the 30 acute care patient beds at the St. Therese-St. Paul Healthcare Centre.
