A family in Saskatoon is urging hospital authorities in Saskatchewan to spend a few nights in a hospital to grasp the harsh reality faced by patients stuck in emergency department hallways. Lloyd Coakwell, 74, who suffers from a rare bone marrow cancer called myelofibrosis, recently spent six days in Royal University Hospital’s emergency department hallway due to a severe ear infection.
During his stay, Lloyd endured a lack of privacy, restless sleep under bright lights, and the unpleasant proximity to a room storing dirty laundry. His wife, Marilyn Coakwell, highlighted the mental and physical toll this experience took on Lloyd and the family.
To draw attention to the issue, the Coakwell family and the NDP Opposition hosted a news conference, challenging Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill and health executives to spend nights in similar hospital conditions to truly understand the challenges faced by patients.
In response, the Saskatchewan Health Authority acknowledged the difficulties faced by patients due to capacity pressures in emergency departments. They expressed regret over patients’ challenging experiences and promised enhancements to improve emergency room wait times, including adding 109 acute care inpatient beds at City Hospital over the next year.
NDP health critic Keith Jorgenson attributed overcrowding to former acute care patients awaiting long-term care or rehabilitation placement. He suggested opening City Hospital’s emergency room 24/7 to alleviate pressure on other hospitals.
Despite the compassionate efforts of hospital staff, the Coakwell family emphasized the long-lasting impact of Lloyd’s traumatic hospital stay. Lloyd expressed a sentiment that something is fundamentally wrong with the healthcare system.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill acknowledged the unacceptable stories of patients’ experiences and emphasized that recent investments in the healthcare system will take time to yield results. Cockrill noted that 40 of the new beds at City Hospital are already operational, highlighting the complexities of adding acute bed space and the need for sufficient staffing.
The government is working towards addressing the challenges in the healthcare system, recognizing the urgency of improving patient care and experiences in hospital settings.