CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - A lack of success in recruiting physiotherapists has led to a reduction in services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Health P.E.I. confirmed to The Guardian that the QEH has reduced its services due to a shortage in the physiotherapy complement.
In an emailed statement, QEH director of hospital services Kelley Rayner said there are currently several vacancies due to retirements, maternity and other leaves.
“Despite every effort, we have not been successful in recruiting to these vacancies to date,” said Rayner. “Recognizing that we must continue to ensure physiotherapy services are provided to patients at the hospital, especially in-patients who require this service before they can safely return home, we have had to reduce the service until we are able to fill vacant positions.”
For now, physiotherapy services offered at the QEH will focus on patients with more complicated orthopedic and neurological conditions, said Rayner. Patients assessed as urgent and semi-urgent will be referred to pre-approved private physiotherapy services.
Rayne said the hospital was committed to continuing recruitment efforts and “exploring other opportunities to ensure our service is more responsive to pressure points that are bound to occur due to retirements, leaves and unexpected vacancies.”
A Health P.E.I. spokesperson said they understood the changes went into effect within the past few weeks.
Gary Walker of Charlottetown informed the newspaper of the changes after he was referred to the QEH last week by an orthopedic surgeon.
When he arrived at the hospital, Walker was told the service was not available.
Knowing someone else who uses the hospital’s physiotherapy services, Walker said he already knew of the reduced service long before then and was critical of the province for keeping it “under wraps.”
“It’s quite a well-kept secret,” said Walker. “They didn’t tell anybody, if an orthopedic surgeon doesn’t know… They’re referring me to a place that doesn’t exist, that’s pretty heavy going.”
Walker said while he will be able to get treatment partially covered through his insurance, he shared concern for those without insurance and noted the range of individuals who require physiotherapy.
He also questioned Health P.E.I.’s recruitment efforts given the number of private physiotherapists now operating in the province.
“Why don’t we pay physiotherapists more? We really need them… It’s critical for a lot of families,” said Walker. “What kind of compassion is that showing for the people who need the service desperately and can’t afford it.”
