A nursing shortage is forcing the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region (PAPHR) to reduce the number of inpatient beds at the Parkland Integrated Health Centre in Shellbrook, Sask.
Starting Wednesday, the number of inpatient beds will be reduced by five additional beds to 10.
Bed capacity at the hospital is normally 20.
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PAPHR CEO Cecile Hunt said the health region is committed to reopening the beds once staffing levels are at a level to provide safe patient care.
“We have heard concerns from our staff members and physicians about the delivery of safe patient care for our patients,” Hunt said in a release.
“We want to make sure that our staff members and physicians are supported, and that we are not compromising the care for any of our patients. Unless we have appropriate staffing for registered nurses, we cannot safely operate at the normal capacity.”
The region is currently using contract nurses but unexpected short-term leaves of absence created the current staffing situation.
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While officials said the emergency department will remain operational 24 hours daily, there may be times when ambulances will bypass the hospital and take patients directly to Prince Albert or Saskatoon.
Officials said the health region’s recruitment efforts for registered nurses have been problematic for the past year and efforts are ongoing to bring more nurses into the region.
The decision to reduce inpatient beds will not affect the long-term care portion of the facility.