For immediate release: October 22, 2024
‘WHAT HAPPENED ISN’T HUMAN’ – MOTHER CALLS FOR CHANGE AFTER POSTING PHOTO OF DAUGHTER’S 24-HOUR ORDEAL IN HOSPITAL HALLWAY
SASKATOON – A Saskatoon woman is demanding change and calling for people to vote out Scott Moe and the Sask. Party after her daughter was left on a bed in a hospital hallway for 24 hours.
Averie Gardiner was taken to St. Paul’s Hospital on Sept. 30. It was determined her kidneys were failing and she was initially admitted to a room but later moved out into the hallway to make room for another patient. Her mother, Sheri Gardiner, said her daughter was writhing in pain and vomiting profusely.
Averie remained in the hallway for 24 hours. Heartbroken and overcome with emotion and frustration, Sheri took a photo of Averie and posted it on social media to show just how bad the situation has gotten in Saskatchewan hospitals.
“What happened isn’t human,” Sheri said. “The Saskatchewan Party has forgotten about people. They only take care of the few, and the rest of us are left to fend for ourselves.”
Frontline healthcare workers have told the Saskatchewan NDP that St. Paul’s has been over 200 per cent capacity at multiple points over the past several weeks. The city’s only other 24/7 emergency room at Royal University Hotel has reported being over 350 per cent capacity at times. There have also been frequent reports of patients being left on beds in hallways and shortages of critical supplies, such as oxygen and stretchers.
“Hallway healthcare is not acceptable,” said Vicki Mowat, Saskatchewan NDP candidate for Saskatoon-Fairview. “Healthcare in Saskatchewan is in last place because Scott Moe and the Sask. Party put us there.
Heartbreaking stories like Averie’s are becoming far too common and lives are being put at risk. The Sask. Party is now planning even deeper cuts and they have to be stopped. It’s time to bring people together to end the crisis and fix healthcare. It’s time for change.”
Carla Beck has committed that a Saskatchewan NDP Government will invest an additional $1.1 billion in healthcare, to recruit, train and retain healthcare workers, take pressure off of emergency rooms and more.
Averie remains in hospital to this day. She needs a kidney transplant but has been given no timeline for when that will occur — the average wait for a kidney transplant in Saskatchewan is nearly three years.
Sheri made it clear who she plans to vote for.
“We need a government that cares about people. I am going with the NDP because I don’t think the Saskatchewan Party is doing things right with healthcare. I am a healthcare worker myself and this isn’t how you treat people.”
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A photo of Averie Gardiner in the St. Paul Hospital’s hallway is attached to this release and is available for publishing use.
Sheri Gardiner is available for interviews upon request
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