The Janeway Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has been on diversion since October 20th because of an increased number of seriously ill patients.
That means that new patients to the ICU will have to be flown to IKW in Halifax., although as of today no patients had to diverted.
Eastern Health says the ICU in the Janeway has 4 beds with surge capacity for six patients in total. Because Unit has been at or near capacity, some shifts had to expanded.
VOCM news has been told by some healthcare staff that staffing shortages are to blame.
Eastern Health says it is the first time the diversion protocol has been enacted since 2019., and they say it is expected to be lifted with in the next few days.