The hydronic heating system in a part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s rehabilitation hospital is repeatedly failing, causing extensive damage that an internal briefing note warns is anticipated to continue.
What’s more, the document — obtained by CBC News through access to information — says over $1.2 million worth of prosthetics and orthotics equipment and supplies are at risk because of the infrastructure issues at the Dr. L.A. Miller Centre.
“Repairs to the system are costly, complex and unsustainable in the long term,” said the briefing note, which was prepared for Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services officials in June.
“Further failures are anticipated due to the age of the system.”
The rehabilitation technology department is located in the oldest standing section of the Miller Centre, on Forest Road in St. John’s. It was constructed in 1941.
Staffed by 25 people, the department manufactures, fits, modifies, and repairs orthotic and prosthetic devices for more than 500 clients annually. It also assesses, prescribes, and customizes seating systems for individuals with complex medical or physical conditions.
“Due to the repeated failure of the system over the last [one to two] years, the rehab technology department has been in a constant state of disrepair,” the note reads.
“A leak in the fabrication area is likely and if this occurs, prosthetic and orthotic services will have to cease completely which will significantly impact patient care.”
Clinical services have been disrupted for “long periods of time” and staff are subjected to odours and excessive heat and moisture, with recorded temperatures exceeding 28 degrees, the briefing note said.
The document also reveals the provincial government had planned on relocating the Miller Centre as part of the planning for a new hospital to replace St. Clare’s Hospital — another dated facility that’s been plagued with infrastructure problems.
However, Tony Wakeham’s government axed those plans in January, citing sky-high costs the government couldn’t afford to bear.
The document says that repairs are difficult because the piping is buried beneath concrete floors and behind asbestos-containing plaster, requiring complex containment and abatement processes to fix.
The hydronic heating system is also used to heat inpatient areas on the second and third floors of the Miller Centre, where there are 59 beds. Leaks have also damaged offices in other parts of the building and caused disruption to treatment space and staff have to relocate.
“Hoarding is in place throughout the department and equipment is now stored in hallways due to damaged storage rooms,” the briefing note says.
“The environment is cluttered and poses accessibility and safety concerns for both patients and staff.”
Despite that, the briefing note says the Miller Centre hasn’t been identified for renovations in provincial government announcements or by the Northeast Avalon Health Infrastructure Committee, which provides advice and guidance on health care infrastructure.
The briefing note warns the working conditions are causing stress to staff and pose a “further barrier to the recruitment of positions that are already difficult to fill and retention of existing staff.”
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services did not offer up a representative for an interview.
However, in a statement NLHS said repairs are underway and that an engineering firm has been hired to review the system.
NLHS said it is reviewing options to improve the area as part of its capital renewal and replacement program.
“Projects are evaluated and prioritized using a risk matrix that considers factors such as urgency, criticality, safety, and operational impact,” said the statement.
“This program provides funding for the renewal, repair, and replacement of aging infrastructure and building systems required to maintain facility operations and support the delivery of safe, high-quality care.”
The statement said the rehab technology department is using an alternate space, but didn’t specify where. It said patients will be notified of any changes of location of their appointments.
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