Saint John hospital begs for help with ER staffing

Saint John's beleaguered emergency medical care system is attempting to stave off a staff crisis by recruiting family doctors to replace 14 ER specialists who have threatened to quit in January.

In a letterto family doctors, Saint John Regional Hospitalchief of staff Dr. Brian Wheelock pleads for help filling four-, six- and eight-hourshifts to provide"a contingency service" in the event of a mass walkout by emergency room doctors.

"I earnestly hope that you will consider this request in the spirit of providing a critically needed service to the patients of our city and region," Wheelock wrote in the letter obtained by CBC News Friday.

The 14 doctors submitted their letters of resignation earlier this month, citing impossible working conditions in the regional hospital ER.

Medical Society director David Balmain said talks are underway with the province about wages and other issues,but both sides have agreed to a media blackout while negotiations are ongoing.

If the doctors follow through with their threat,onlythree remaining physicianswould be availableto coverSaint John'sbusiest emergency room.

A recent coroner's inquest into the death of an elderly woman in the ER in February 2005 exposed serious crowding problems in the hospital.

Lillian Mullin, 78, died one day after being sent home from the Saint John Regional Hospital's emergency room, diagnosed with the flu. She returned the next day with severe symptoms and tests revealed a serious bowel infection. She died a few hours later.

The inquest heard from several emergency room doctors who testified the hospital is in a near-constant "Code Orange," which means there are too many patients to treat and not enough beds or staff to care for them.

Following the inquest, acoroner's jury recommended tripling the capacity of the regional hospital emergency room, something to which Health Minister Michael Murphy immediately agreed.

However, until that happens, he has ordered the city's second hospital, St. Joseph's urgent care centre, to extend its hours.

Training promised

Wheelock is under considerable pressure to fulfil both the needs of St. Joseph's and to ensure the emergency room at the larger, regional facility does not fall into further crisis.

In his Dec. 7 letter, Wheelock acknowledged most family physicians won't have experience in emergency medicine, but promised to provide upgrading and training to whomever might be willing to help cover the shifts.

He said no progress has been made in resolving the dispute with the 14 doctors, but hopes the need for outside help will only be short-term. He said they will be paid a sessional fee from the provincial medicaresystem.

"It will take us time, obviously, to recruit and stabilize the supply of physicians, but hopefully that can be accomplished over a period of not more than six months."