A second doctor in eastern P.E.I. is speaking out against changes to services at the Souris Hospital.
The province is converting the hospital from an acute care facility to an extended-care facility, with three acute-care beds. It’s part of a revamping of the province’s health system that will see most acute care centralized at P.E.I.’s two main hospitals in Charlottetown and Summerside.
Dr. Tom Bronaugh told CBC News Wednesday it doesn’t make sense to transfer most patients from Souris to Charlottetown, an hour’s drive away.
“Most patients prefer to stay here, if we had the capability to take care of them,” said Bronaugh.
“It’s more convenient for them, they feel more comfortable with their family doctor taking care of them, they feel comfortable with their family and friends being able to visit them easily.”
Hospital services staying, says Health PEI
Bronaugh said he doesn’t understand why the province is changing a system that’s working well for the area. He is also concerned Souris will lose most of its diagnostic imaging and lab services.
In a news release early this week, Health PEI said Lab and X-ray service will continue to be available at Souris Hospital.
“Services such as lab, diagnostic imaging, ambulatory care and dialysis will continue to be available at Souris Hospital after the facility transitions and begins offering more extended care,” said Health PEI CEO Richard Wedge.
“There’s been some confusion in the public regarding which services will remain at the facility so I wanted to take this opportunity to clarify those important points.”
Wedge noted the 14 extended-care beds at the revamped hospital will offer restorative, respite, convalescent and palliative care.
He said the extended-care beds will free up more acute care beds in the province.
Source: cbc.ca