Montague hospital foundation tackling frequent ER closures

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MONTAGUE, P.E.I. — The muse that often focuses on elevating cash for wanted gear on the Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague is diving into extra critical issues. 

Norman Stewart, who was elected chair of the board this month, mentioned it has determined to deal with two key points – the weekend closures within the emergency room and the place issues are with the promise of a brand new hospital. 

“Not everyone will get sick in the course of the week,” Stewart mentioned in an interview with SaltWire on July 5. “That may be a particular concern.”

The brand new board chair is referring to the choice by Well being P.E.I. to shut the emergency division on weekends till October attributable to an absence of employees. The emergency division has closed for the day or closed early greater than 30 occasions this yr. 

Stewart mentioned the board, which has many new members, desires to arrange an ad-hoc committee that features space MLAs Cory Deagle, Steven Myers and Darlene Compton to give you a plan to deal with these key points. 

“We need to take care of having the ER open seven days every week, not 5 days every week, and likewise put a bee in (Well being P.E.I.’s) bonnet to see how the plans are with a brand new (hospital). We need to sustain the strain. That’s what this ad-hoc committee will likely be addressing; retains the coals underneath their toes to maintain issues transferring alongside.’’ 

Compton was finance minister two years in the past when the province signalled in its capital finances plans for a brand new hospital. 

Stewart has been on the inspiration board since 2010, saying that elevating cash for gear takes care of itself by non-public donations or cash given to the hospital at wakes. 

This ad-hoc committee will likely be in search of public enter, however Stewart mentioned it’s too early to say what that may contain or give any timelines. 

Anybody who’s trying to volunteer on the committee is requested to name Edna Miller on the hospital at 902-838-0777. 

Fundraising

Following is details about the Kings County Memorial Hospital Basis: 

• Norman Stewart, the brand new chair of the board, mentioned the final main want was an X-ray machine in 2010.
• The hospital now wants a brand new X-ray machine to exchange it.

Dave Stewart is a well being reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He will be reached by electronic mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @DveStewart.