The Janeway’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit has been on diversion since October 20 because of an increased number of seriously ill patients.

That means that new patients to the ICU will have to be flown to IWK in Halifax—although as of today, no patients have had to be diverted.

Eastern Health says the ICU at the Janeway has four beds, with surge capacity for six patients in total. Because the unit has been at, or near capacity, some shifts have had to be extended.

VOCM News has been told by some health care 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 within the next few days.

The ICU diversion at the Janeway was raised in the House of Assembly this afternoon.

Opposition Leader David Brazil questioned the Health Minister about the matter.

Minister John Haggie confirmed that five of the Janeway’s six available ICU beds were full prior to the weekend, and that the diversion “will be lifted shortly.”