This is well known. As a matter of fact, when they shut down the Holy Family Hospital many years ago, the promise at that time (by the NDP) was that we would have a second tower built at the Vic. All these years later and still no second tower. What needs to happen is the Provincial Government needs to make this hospital a regional hospital. If that happens then it becomes the sole responsibility of them to pay for a new hospital. If it remains as is, the City will be on the hook to pay for 1/3 of the costs of a new hospital. PA can not afford to do this when they are already looking at building a new Multiplex and there are a bunch of citizens screaming for a new indoor pool to rival the Shaw Centre in Saskatoon! Oh and don't forget the precious second bridge that everyone wants! We will be on the hook for a 1/3 of that too if it happens!!

I agree with both comments.At the very least, a 24 hour walk in should be made available.
The people in Prince Albert need to get their priorities straight! Maybe when the day comes that them, or one of their family members is having to wait for hours in ER, only to be told there is no beds available will they see the light. That kind of situation is not new, in fact, it's quite typical.

I am just curious as to whom you are going to staff this new "tower" or larger hospital with? We are scraping to get enough staff to cover the shifts now... let alone add a larger facility or another one? I personally don't think it is in the cards!

Again I agree with you. It is an assortment of problems. But I would like to hope there is some sort of solutions. It's funding, and it's pay, not lack of workers, but lack of money to pay them, and hire them.
But I truly believe priorities come into this.
Way back around election time, I heard more than one person who was running for Mayor make promises on the bridge, and hospital specifically. Neither of which came true, or is close to coming true,
I personally think people's health and well being is most important.
If a bigger hospital is not in the cards, what is the reason given then, for not having at least one 24 hour walk in clinic? It would substantially cut down on people running to the ER at night.

I agree with Trisha. Many "emergency" visits to the hospital could easily be handled at health centres in communities. I recently had a badly cut foot requiring stitching,so of course, a trip to the Vic Emergency department was in order. I thought, that given the long line up, I just might bleed to death waiting to see the doctor but he singled me out for immediate treatment. His comment when I asked him why was that I was the only person that was in the ER waiting for treatment at the time who wasn't drunk.

Thats the unfortunate side of P.A, yes. But it's not always the case. I have been at the ER a few times this year with family, or friends who were in trouble, ranging from appendicitis to angina. And most other cases that caused these cases to wait, were actual emergencies as well.
Not saying this is the case every night. But there is a need here.
I still agree with a 24 hour clinic if there is nothing else that can be done.

I hope the people who campaigned to close the Holy Family feel proud. PAUL used to have staff for two hospitals. Maybe more flexibility of jobs would help - ie if one department is slow, then deploy to areas where there is a need. Too simple huh?

What's the difference from a 24 hour clinic to the ER, if the doctors are sleeping during their shift, the wait times will still be prolonged.

I don't know if a bigger hospital would help but this is the third time in a year that we have been brought in gor sn operation at 6.30 am and have not been operated on until mid afternoon. Surely if the operation is really to be done at 2.00pm we could come in at noon.