Saskatoon emergency room patients waiting almost a full day to get a hospital bed
Saskatoon emergency room patients were waiting an average of 21 hours for a hospital bed last week.
In some cases wait times were as long as 53 hours.
John Ash, executive director of acute care for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), provided the figures in a physician town hall Oct. 7.
"So these are patients that have been admitted to the emergency department that are waiting in the emergency department for a bed which is obviously not ideal," he said.
The number of COVID-19 patients in Saskatchewan has tripled since Aug. 30, which is the highest number since the start of the pandemic, he said.
As of Oct. 5, 65 people across the province had been admitted to hospital with no bed available at the time of admission. SHA spokesperson Doug Dahl told CTV News that number can vary throughout the day as patients are admitted, discharged or transferred between units and facilities.
In the town hall, Ash also noted the maximum times paramedics had to wait to offload their patients: eight hours at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, six hours at Regina General Hospital and 4.5 hours at Pasqua Hospital.
There have also been delays at Moose Jaw Hospital, which are "almost unheard-of," he said.
"So those are significant impacts to our system."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.