Overcrowding in Saskatoon hospital creates fire hazard
The Opposition says Saskatoon's hospitals are so overcrowded, a fire marshal issued a warning about patients in hallways creating a fire hazard this week.
The NDP's health critic Danielle Chartier raised the issue today in Question Period. She said there were so many patients in the hallway at St. Paul's Hospital this week, that a fire marshal told health officials to fix the problem or face a fine.
Health Minister Jim Reiter told reporters after Question Period that he was aware of the situation.
It's very concerning, obviously," Reiter said."If the fire marshal is concerned about it, I'm very concerned about it. I understand they took measures to remedy it but I'm very concerned to make sure it doesn't happen again."
Chartier says the government's recent decision to reduce some of its spending at the Lighthouse is likely exacerbating the problem.
"The Lighthouse and St. Paul's Hospital are five minute apart," she told reporters. "I don't know where the minister thinks, the Minister of Social Services, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Health all should know that people who leave the Lighthouse end up at places like St. Paul's hospital."
