591 words / 2 min read

HSC ER Death

Earlier this week, we heard about a patient who died while waiting for care in the ER at HSC. This is a tragic and distressing incident, and our thoughts are with the patient’s friends and family. We have reached out to physicians at the site to check in, offer support and share our physician health resources. Details are starting to emerge in the media, though we should anticipate these details may evolve as investigations are undertaken. The health system has confirmed this will be investigated as a critical incident, with an emphasis on fact finding and identifying improvements to prevent a recurrence.

While we don’t know many details about the specific incident, we do know a lot about the broader context. HSC leadership confirmed that the ER was very busy on the night in question, with over 100 patients in treatment or waiting for care. Unfortunately, we know these conditions are not uncommon in Winnipeg ERs. As we explained to reporters, ​“wait times in our ERs have been far too long for far too many years.”

When stories about ER wait times or overcrowding emerge, there is a rush by reporters and politicians to focus on patients who shouldn’t be in the ER. However, study after study, and task force after task force, have reminded us that the primary driver of ER overcrowding and long wait times is a lack of hospital capacity, which means patients awaiting admission back up in the ER, which in turn blocks treatment spaces leaving patients waiting longer in the waiting room. The best solution for reducing ER waits is adding more hospital capacity and focusing on more accessible comprehensive primary care. The government confirmed to us that they have opened 211 new beds over the last year, with 119 more in the works, and they have said they are working on a new ER strategy. Our hope is that the government will engage physicians broadly to ensure this new strategy is based on the breadth and depth of front-line expertise and published evidence.

All of this is a terrible reminder about the conditions in which physicians and other health care professionals work, in ERs and many other settings. Only 36% of doctors reported to us last year that they have the facilities, equipment, and resources they need for patient care, and 55% of physicians experience moral distress frequently in their work, which means they aren’t able to deliver medical care at the standard they believe the patient deserves.

If you, a colleague, or a family member needs support, please review our Doc360 resources or contact Physicians At Risk directly by calling 204−237−8320.

Rural Care Unstable

Brandon Hospital, the biggest outside of Winnipeg, was very close over the last few weeks to having gaps in obstetrical coverage. Several physicians stepped in to help maintain coverage, including Doctors Manitoba President-Elect Dr. Nichelle Desilets, as well as the provincial specialty lead Dr. Vanessa Poliquin. Two new obstetricians will start this winter or spring in Brandon to help restore regular coverage, Prairie Mountain Health reports. See an article about the situation here.

This troubling news followed our focus on rural physician shortages last month, including a public advisory to warn Manitobans to plan ahead for more ER closures or limited hours of operation this winter. 

We’re also still looking for your feedback about the status of health services in your rural or northern community. 

➡️ Take our 2 minute survey to share a status update. This will help us with our continued advocacy for rural care.