Loading articles...

Suspension of services at Alberta Children's Hospital bringing other ramifications: pediatrician

Credit: Wikipedia

CALGARY — A Calgary pediatrician is raising concerns after some services were suspended at the Alberta Children’s Hospital as the province looks for ways to manage COVID-19.

Dr. Roxanne Goldade, who previously represented the Community of Pediatricians of Calgary, says moving staff from the Children’s Hospital to other hospitals has other ramifications.


RELATED: Alberta Children’s Hospital to have 75% of operating rooms temporarily closed


“So the trickle-down effect is that children just don’t get seen. Their mental health needs have just exploded, so, it’s all trickled out to our offices and people are extra needy, and worried, and scared, and simply their needs are not being met,” said Goldade.

“Their medical and mental health needs are not getting met.”

Goldade blames the increase in mental health issues among youth on COVID-related disruptions in the school system, as well as the lack of socializing among kids because of the pandemic.

She says it continues to get worse as families continue to be hit hard mentally as the pandemic drags on.

Currently, six of eight operating suites at the Alberta Children’s Hospital have been temporarily shut down.

-with files from Pete Curtis