Saskatoon Hospital Hallway Conditions Spark Outrage After Son Shares Mother’s Experience
Saskatoon, SK – A Saskatoon man is speaking out about what he describes as “brutal” conditions at Royal University Hospital (RUH), alleging his mother endured a chaotic and unsanitary environment while recovering from a stroke.Tim Lang shared his experience after videos circulating online showed crowded hallways and patients receiving care in makeshift spaces within the hospital.
Lang said his mother was situated in a hallway bed at RUH from sept.25, where he counted 172 people passing by between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., preventing her from sleeping and hindering assessments by medical staff. He stated his mother’s condition improved significantly after being moved to a private room and is now recovering at a hospital in Unity.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is currently adding 109 beds in Saskatoon to address overcrowding, with 20 beds already opened. SHA representative Ash acknowledged an early start to flu season contributed to the current strain on resources. He also stated individuals have the right to record video inside hospitals, but urged respect for patient and staff privacy.
Though, Opposition NDP shadow health minister Keith Jorgenson condemned the conditions revealed in the videos as “unacceptable,” asserting they demonstrate the province’s health-care system is “broken.”
Lang detailed concerns about cleanliness, alleging he observed urine on the hallway floor that was not adequately cleaned. “The cleanliness in there was atrocious,” he said. “And the smell was atrocious.” He also noted a significant number of patients appeared to be struggling with substance abuse and may have required specialized addiction treatment.
Lang’s account adds to growing concerns about capacity and conditions within Saskatchewan’s healthcare system, a challenge the SHA says it is actively working to address.
