A man, aged 36, spent several days receiving treatment for brain swelling at Royal University Hospital during the summer. Due to limited space, he was accommodated in a hallway, an experience he described as his scariest medical encounter. Seeking help on August 4 at the Saskatoon ER due to confusion and headaches, the man, Kay Roberts, never expected to undergo medical procedures in a busy hallway. He spent four nights and five days on a stretcher bed, battling cognitive issues alongside his condition.
Roberts recalled his time in the hallway as challenging, with constant lights and disruptions making it hard to rest. Medical interventions, including a critical plasma replacement involving a tube inserted into his jugular vein, were performed in the hallway. His family noted the technician’s apprehension due to the limited space and the need to move plasma boxes to allow passage for others.
After waiting for nine hours in the ER waiting room, Roberts’ cognitive state deteriorated to the point where he couldn’t recall his parents’ names. Despite being shuttled back and forth throughout the day, a neurologist struggled to find a private area to discuss the examination results, adding to the distress of the situation.
Ultimately spending 10 days in the ER and makeshift overflow areas before being transferred to the neurology ward, Roberts expressed gratitude for the medical care received. However, he acknowledged the challenges faced by healthcare professionals practicing in such conditions. His mother, Maureen Roberts, emphasized the stress endured by her son, family, and medical staff throughout the ordeal.
The Saskatchewan NDP denounced the situation, calling it unacceptable for complex medical procedures to be conducted in a hallway. Health critic Keith Jorgenson demanded an apology for the family and urged Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill to visit the hospital’s emergency department to witness the conditions firsthand.
Responding to the incident, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) expressed willingness to meet with the patient to learn from the experience. The SHA highlighted ongoing efforts to address capacity issues, improve emergency room wait times, and expand acute care capacity at Saskatoon hospitals, including adding 109 inpatient beds at Saskatoon City Hospital in the upcoming year.
