Meili questions when audit of new Sask Hospital will be complete

“This government is not open and prompt about all of the things that have gone on,” he said. “We only heard about the water that couldn’t be drunk at the hospital through staff; the government didn’t release that information. The roof leaking – that was late coming to the public; and later on we learned about some of the leaks and mould that were happening.”

Meili said the government initially denied the mould issue but it was later revealed to be present.

“They have been keeping information back, not being honest with people who only want the full story, to know if there is anything that impacted patient care, that poses any health risks…,” he said.

Meili also expressed concerns about the new SHNB having a waiting list.

Saskatchewan NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat echoed Meili’s issues. The SHNB needed to have its roof replaced shortly after it opened and patients and staff were advised not to drink the water due to high levels of lead and copper.

The NDP are also asking for a Saskatchewan-first procurement policy in P3 projects.

In response, the province said work is being done to address the issues with the SHNB facility.

The province’s Ministry of Central Services confirmed in an email to battlefordsNOW the construction audit report on the facility is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020.

A request for proposals was issued for a third-party audit of the SHNB facility. The firm will conduct a construction audit and a process review. The construction audit will review the quality of materials, equipment, labour and workmanship, while the process review will look at governance.

Ministry of Central Services spokesperson Julianne Jack said in an email that Central Services is working with Access Prairie Partnership (APP) to address the issues. She added all costs for any repairs will be APP’s responsibility, through the P3 – public-private partnership project – agreement.

In an update on the challenges the facility has been facing, crews are said to be working to repair the entire roof that resulted in a series of leaks throughout the building. The roof work is expected to be completed by the fall of 2020.

As well, teams are also replacing faulty shower parts and completing repairs wherever water-related damage occurred. As a result of this work, the facility’s 24-bed admissions unit for the non-secure area is closed, likely until January when the repairs are expected to be done. The hospital is admitting patients through other units in the meantime, instead of the central admissions unit.

“There has been no impact on patient safety and limited impact on operations,” Jack said.

She said work is continuing in the hospital wherever there is a risk of water penetration and mould.

On the matter of drinking-water quality, the hospital continues to have potable water available for consumption and kitchen use, as it has done since Oct. 23 after testing showed levels of copper or lead may be higher than desirable levels.

Recent water testing at SHNB is showing improvement, with test results indicating water in all areas of the facility within acceptable water-quality standards. The hospital is having more water testing completed to make sure the quality results are consistent over time.

Meili also questioned wait times for admittance in light of the fact that part of the hospital is not open.

Saskatchewan Health Authority spokesperson Amanda Purcell said in a email to battlefordsNOW there is no issue with wait times.

She said the hospital is admitting patients directly through other units, rather than the central admissions unit, adding that “there has been no impact on patient safety and limited impact on operations.”

Purcell said 23 patients were admitted to SHNB from April 1 to Dec. 10, which is consistent with the annual average for the same period.

The current wait list for admissions to the non-secure units of SHNB is about three patients, however this number changes on a daily basis. The average number on the wait list has previously been about 13.

She said wait times can fluctuate for various reasons.

“Building issues have had a limited effect on the admissions process since the facility opened,” Purcell added. “Transitioning into the new facility, including developing and implementing new processes to function in the changed operating environment, have also been a factor.”

The 284-bed facility opened in March 2019 at a cost of $407 million.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Meili questions when audit of new Sask Hospital will be complete

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