A man from Conception Bay South demands action from the Newfoundland and Labrador government to address substandard conditions at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s. Carl Lundrigan, admitted with pneumonia on February 16, endured what he calls inhumane freezing temperatures during his week-long stay.
Harsh Winter Conditions in Patient Rooms
Lundrigan reports drafty windows worsened by brutal winter weather, leaving patients shivering despite multiple blankets. “I was more worried about being sicker when I got out than when I went in,” he stated. “If you’re expected to get well in those circumstances, someone needs to have a look at it.”
On his second night, another patient resorted to sleeping in a winter coat while seated in a chair. Lundrigan notes the room grew progressively colder, requiring up to eight blankets, yet warmth remained elusive. Another patient even provided a quilt for extra coverage. Only on his final night did staff relocate him to a warmer room.
Lundrigan opposes short-term repairs for the aging facility and urges elected officials to inspect hospitals personally. “We need something long term, something decent where sick people can actually recover,” he emphasized.
Social Media Complaint Prompts Quick Fix
Lundrigan shared his experience in a social media post directed at Premier Tony Wakeham. Shortly after, maintenance workers taped plastic sheeting over the window. However, he says this makeshift solution billowed like a sail, trapping cold air and pushing it downward, making the room even chillier.
Government Shifts Hospital Expansion Plans
Prior Liberal administration plans for a new hospital near Paradise to replace St. Clare’s were abandoned by the incoming PC government. Instead, officials aim to extend the facility’s lifespan and repurpose a proposed downtown health centre to incorporate missing services.
Health Minister Responds and Assigns Blame
Health Minister Lela Evans described Lundrigan’s account as “sad and embarrassing,” issuing an apology to affected patients. She vows improvements under PC leadership, attributing issues to years of neglected maintenance by the previous Liberal government, in power from late 2015 to fall 2025.
Evans defends scrapping the Paradise project, calling it a costly “flashy building” that would take years to build while conditions at St. Clare’s worsen. “I don’t want anyone trying to put this on me,” she asserted. “I’m not making flashy announcements just to make people feel good.” The government plans comprehensive inspections and maintenance upgrades.
