Health PEI asks for patience as hospitals face ongoing capacity pressures

Health PEI is asking the public for patience as Island hospitals operate above normal capacity. This added pressure makes for longer wait times, slows the flow of patients through the system, and creates stress for patients, loved ones, and our hard-working staff.

Island hospitals currently have a high number of patients who no longer need acute care but lack a place to be discharged to in long-term care or to home with the support of homecare services. This backlog means fewer available hospital beds, leaving a high number of admitted patients filling beds in Emergency Departments.

To prepare for these demands, Health PEI added 43 acute care beds with additional long-term care beds added to the system over the past year. Despite these added resources, the surge during this season is resulting in Island hospitals operating above capacity. 

Dedicated staff at Health PEI are leveraging all opportunities to add additional capacity in both acute and long-term care. Some patients may be asked to temporarily accept a long-term care bed in an alternate facility until a spot opens in their preferred location becomes available. This will allow patients who need acute care to receive treatment in the most appropriate space but will only be done as a last resort.

Health PEI is asking members of the public to:

• Use emergency departments for urgent and emergency needs
• Consider other care options when appropriate, such as primary care providers, walk‑in clinics, calling 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse, community pharmacies, or virtual care through Maple
• Be patient as staff work through delays caused by limited capacity, and remember violence will not be tolerated
• Reach out to the Health PEI Patient Navigator for assistance finding care and/or Patient Relations if you have compliments or concerns.

Health PEI will continue to assess conditions daily and provide updates as needed.

Media Contact: 
Dave Atkinson 
Senior Communications Officer, Health PEI 
datkinson@ihis.org