Samantha Dornbusch has been taking her son Jaxson to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton for the past six years to receive treatment for his high-risk B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer that mainly affects children. Jaxson, who is now nine years old, would occasionally spend extended periods at the hospital for chemotherapy before going home.
In the last couple of years, on three separate occasions, they arrived at the hospital only to be informed that Jaxson’s treatments would be delayed due to a lack of available beds. Dornbusch expressed her frustration at the situation, mentioning that they had to wait for another appointment to be rescheduled each time, lasting from two to four days.
Jaxson has been in remission since September, following his last round of treatment after a nine-month remission period. Despite this, Dornbusch remains concerned about his recovery, fearing a potential relapse due to the delays in treatment he experienced this time around.
Recent reports from Alberta Health Services reveal that several young patients in Edmonton have encountered chemotherapy treatment delays at the Stollery Children’s Hospital due to space limitations. The health authority assured that all affected patients have now commenced their treatment and emphasized that such delays are not typical and are not expected to be recurring.
Dr. Sam Wong, the president of pediatrics for the Alberta Medical Association, noted a growing severity in the shortage of beds at the hospital. He highlighted instances of surgeries being canceled and patients being discharged earlier than planned to free up beds for urgent cases. Dr. Wong also mentioned the hospital’s utilization of common areas like toyrooms and classrooms to accommodate additional beds.
In response to the escalating challenges, Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones announced plans to construct a new standalone Stollery Hospital, acknowledging the need for expanded facilities. The current Stollery, located within the University of Alberta Hospital, faces space constraints and intense demand as one of the busiest acute care centers in the province, catering to families from various regions.
The issue of chemotherapy delays due to capacity constraints is not new, as highlighted by Alana Janvier, whose daughter underwent treatment at the Stollery for osteosarcoma. Janvier recounted numerous postponements in her daughter’s chemotherapy sessions over two years, citing bed shortages as the primary cause. Tragically, Justine’s cancer relapsed in 2020, leading to her passing in 2021.
Despite the challenges, the announcement of a new standalone hospital offers a glimmer of hope for improved healthcare services in the future. Minister Jones mentioned a projected timeline of five to eight years for the completion of the new facility, acknowledging the dedication of healthcare professionals who strive to provide the best care within existing constraints. Additional inpatient beds are being added at the Stollery to address current capacity issues, with plans to keep them operational throughout the respiratory virus season.
Alana Janvier sees the establishment of the stand-alone Stollery Hospital as a positive step towards enhancing care for future patients, viewing it as a tribute to her daughter’s memory and a source of pride for Justine.