Nurses’ Union says Prince George hospital ‘overflowing’ with patients

WATCH: Overcrowding is becoming an increasing problem at Prince George’s hospital. Catherine Urquhart reports.

The BC Nurses’ Union says overcrowding at the University Hospital of Northern BC has reached the point where patients are being put in the shower room.

“I was absolutely appalled at the conditions,” said BC Nurses Union’ Vice President Christine Sorensen in a statement. “One patient had already spent seven days in a hallway next to the ambulance and RCMP entry door. This is not the way to provide safe patient care!”

Northern Health admitted last year that the hospital was facing “unprecedented capacity issues”, according to spokesperson Jonathon Dyck. A plan was implemented to expand services, including seven high acuity beds that opened last month. 11 respite beds and 15 complex care beds are scheduled to open in the next two months.

“We recognize the need to continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders, including the unions, to improve the capacity at UHNBC,” wrote Dyck.

“We will continue to communicate with the unions and other stakeholders to ensure they are provided with information and status updates as they become available.”

The Nurses’ Union argues that extra staff are needed to handle the extra patients.

“Congestion in hospitals is made worse by the fact there are so many more patients, but not enough nurses,” says BCNU President Gayle Duteil.

“When the health authorities fail to call in extra staff, as is legally required by the contract, nurses ability to provide safe patient care is compromised.”