The P.E.I. government committed nearly $1 million for additional staff at the newly-opened emergency department, but The Guardian has confirmed that, to date, not a single position has been filled.
The hospital also didn’t get approval to hire the staff it felt it needed to operate the new emergency room. The $1 million figure fell “well short” of what the hospital said it needed, sources say.
Furthermore, there are nine nursing position currently being advertised for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
None of the jobs posted are for the emergency department.
Of the 37 patients rooms in the new emergency department, some of them remain shut because the hospital doesn’t have the staff to operate them.
Health Minister Carolyn Bertram was asked why she would approve the opening of the new emergency department when none of the new positions have been filled.
This is what she had to say: “We were very pleased to see the facility open in mid-June. Certainly, the facility offers a much better environment for everyone compared to the older one.”
Bertram said she hoped the new positions would be filled as soon as possible. She also wouldn’t comment on why the province did not approve the staff compliment the hospital requested.
“We are very committed to the QEH and the emergency department there,” she said.

This happened to me as well 10 years ago. I knew that I was having a miscarriage and proceeded to a packed waiting room at the QEH. Was triaged quickely and told to wait in the waiting room. Well I waited and waited and waited quietly morning the impending loss of my baby among many strangers. I kept asking the nurses when could I see the doctor they told me as soon as they had a room, that there were 2 other ladies who were also having miscarriages, that were occupying the rooms. After 7 or 8 hours I am not quite sure exactly how long, but I did get finally get to see the doctor, only to be rushed into a room examined, the doctor stated that yes, I had had a miscarriage, this type of thing happens to 1 in 4 pregnancies and told to go home. Don't be fooled people this is not something new, it has been happening for quite some time, it just took this brave couple to bring it to light.