Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s pediatric clinic is warning of extended wait times in a letter sent by doctors to patients and families at the clinic.
The letter says the clinic will prioritize emergency and urgent cases. Follow-up appointments, routine and less-urgent cases will experience delays.
“We understand this situation may be frustrating, and we are very sorry for the inconvenience,” the letter says.
In a statement Health P.E.I. told CBC News that there are six full-time positions for pediatricians at the clinic and one neonatologist.
Currently staffing is down to 4.6 pediatricians and a temporary leave will reduce that to 3.6 positions next month until early 2026.
Health P.E.I. said it continues to try to recruit for a full-time pediatrician to join the team at the QEH and is advertising for pediatric locums.
The agency noted that staff at the clinic have “encouraged patients who have a primary care practitioner or access to other community healthcare resources to utilize those services when possible.”
‘Scared and worried’
Some Islanders whose children access the clinic are now reporting that they have received phone calls informing them that they have been “discharged” from the clinic.
Lisa Manuel, who has two children who access health care at the clinic, said she was “infuriated” when she got the letter from Health P.E.I. on Tuesday.
