Ste. Anne hospital to be closed till next week

The Ste. Anne hospital has been closed since Monday as the facility’s cooling system is down, but community leaders say the response to fix it has been rapid.

Southern Health reports the system at the hospital malfunctioned and work is underway to fix it, a news release said Wednesday.

The repairs are necessary to “maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and physicians.”

Ste. Anne Mayor Yvan St. Vincent said the communication from Southern Health has been outstanding, as they’ve been in touch with leaders in the town daily, sometimes several times a day.

“It’s obviously out of everyone’s control,” he said, noting “every step of the way” he’s been kept apprised of the situation.

It’s his understanding that about 18 people have been affected by the hospital’s closure, with the majority of patients moved to the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach and others moved to the Boundary Trails Health Centre in Winkler.

He said families of affected patients have been kept in the loop.

The news release from Southern Health said people with appointments at the hospital will be called about any changes and the health region is asking for the public’s patience, saying they’re trying to fix things as quickly as possible.

Inpatient and outpatient services such as diagnostics, same-day procedures and emergency services, are unavailable during the closure.

Ste. Anne, which has 3,000 residents, is 50 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.

St. Vincent was told the malfunction involved the hospital chiller and leaky pipes, but said crews are “on top of it.”

“Their reaction to what has gone on is fantastic,” he said, because patient safety is their “first priority.”

St. Vincent said if all goes well, patients and staff will be back in the hospital by the middle of next week.

“It serves not just my community, but all the surrounding communities as well,” he said.

St. Vincent said his understanding is that after the repairs are completed, the hospital will undergo a deep cleaning and sanitation.

“It’s not as simple as just getting the air conditioner going and then we can move back in,” he said, noting the work involves making sure patients are safe upon their return.

Phillipa Robinson, who lives in Ste. Anne said a long-term closure of the hospital would be detrimental to the community and surrounding areas, so she’s glad to hear it’s all hands on deck to get the hospital open again.

“It’s an unfortunate situation and I feel for the patients, but it wasn’t intentional by anybody and I think it’s one of those things that’s out of people’s control,” she said. “I’m sure they’re doing everything they can, and could do, to get it back working.”

She hopes no one needs the hospital for an emergency while it is closed, but said she’s pleased it’ll likely be opening again soon, calling it “a pillar” in the town.

“I don’t think people realize the size of an area it actually services and how many people go in there,” she said. “They do an awesome job there.”

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca