Alberta Health Services has limited the number of visitors to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital to help prevent further spread of the Covid-19. A statement says 15 staff members and physicians have acquired the disease since the beginning of August while working at the facility.--FILE PHOTO
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Even though there was no strike action Monday at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital visitors were being turned away.
Debbie Gill has been visiting her husband in hospital for the past week but on Monday when she was checking in at the entrance she was not allowed in.
“Security came to me and said that illegal action started in Calgary and Edmonton and they’re not allowed to let people in,” said Gill.
A wildcat strike by members of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees began at various medical sites across the province on Monday. Medicine Hat, however, was unaffected.
“I respect their right to strike,” said Gill, who feels it was unfair of AHS to refuse visitors and that it ultimately affects patients.
A general press release by Alberta Health Services said its “focus is on ensuring patients continue to receive the care and treatment they need.”
Gill has been helping with her husband’s care, too.
When Gill further questioned the security guard at the hospital, she was told meetings were taking place and he did not know how long visitors would be prohibited.
A spokesperson for AHS says it was necessary to restrict visitors because it was unclear whether Medicine Hat Regional Hospital was going to be impacted on Monday.
“At the time, it was not clear if the site was going to be impacted by the strike action, and therefore the site proactively implemented its contingency plan to ensure safe and quality patient care in the event of local labour disruption.”
By Monday afternoon the restriction was lifted and visitors were allowed once more after going through the regular COVID-19 protocols.
“We will continue to monitor this situation as it evolves at each location across the province,” reads the AHS statement.
