Prince County Hospital to Reopen ICU, Resume Cancer Services in August

Prince County Hospital in Summerside has confirmed the reopening of its intensive-care unit (ICU) and the resumption of in-person oncologist appointments starting August 11, 2023. The ICU, which has been closed since May 2023 due to staffing shortages, will once again provide critical care services to the local community. Patients in need of intensive care have been referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown, located approximately 60 kilometres away.

Administrator Rob Philpott expressed enthusiasm about the return of these essential health services. In an interview with CBC’s Island Morning, he stated, “It’s been a couple of years before we’ve been able to offer this specific level of critical-care services, and we’re very much looking forward to the opportunity to do that again.”

Restoration of Cancer Care Services

In conjunction with the ICU reopening, Prince County Hospital will also welcome back cancer patients for in-person consultations with oncologists. Until July 10, 2023, patients had to travel to Charlottetown for chemotherapy treatments due to staffing shortages in the oncology department. Philpott noted that low-risk treatment patients would receive remote support for the next four weeks, but starting August 11, face-to-face appointments will resume.

Prince County Hospital currently employs two full-time oncologists, who also provide part-time coverage at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Due to one oncologist being on vacation and the other on education leave, only one has been available this summer. However, plans are on track for a third oncologist to join the team at the QEH Cancer Treatment Centre by mid-September.

Continued Patient Travel Requirements

Despite the reopening of services, Philpott mentioned that some patients will still need to travel to Charlottetown for certain treatments. This includes patients requiring radiation therapy, which is exclusively available at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Additionally, new cancer patients will need to have their initial consultations at the QEH.

Philpott emphasized that while some services are returning to Prince County Hospital, patients who are seen for the first time by a new oncologist will still need to make the journey to Charlottetown. “This would also extend to patients who may not necessarily be new to the cancer service,” he said, highlighting the ongoing logistical challenges faced by patients in the region.

The reopening of the ICU and cancer services at Prince County Hospital represents a significant step in restoring critical healthcare access for residents of western Prince Edward Island. As the community awaits these changes, the hospital administration remains focused on addressing staffing needs to ensure consistent and reliable care moving forward.