A number of emergency rooms will be out of service for several weeks at the busy QEII Health Sciences Center in Halifax after being damaged by a sprinkler activation on Sunday.

A statement released Thursday by the Nova Scotia Health Authority — after CBC News requested information about the incident — says following an investigation into the damage, it was determined that some areas would take weeks to repair. repaired.

The statement did not specify the damage or whether the incident would affect care delivery, but in a follow-up email, a spokesperson said affected areas include some patient assessment rooms and emergency rooms psychiatric.

“As a result, the emergency department is working with reduced space, which may cause delays for those with less urgent concerns,” Jennifer Lewandowski wrote.

Patients with urgent health concerns should not hesitate to go to the emergency room or call 911, the release said.

Staff tasked with “expediting referrals”

An internal Nova Scotia Health memo obtained by CBC indicates the affected rooms are expected to be out of service for several weeks.

He asks staff to “expedite exits as soon as possible to free up space.”

“Ensure that referrals to the (emergency department) for consultation are reviewed and limited to those requiring urgent consultation,” said the memo released Wednesday at 6 p.m.

“Please ensure all non-traditional care spaces are used, according to appropriate guidelines.”

“Staff are very frustrated”

Kevin Whittaker was in the emergency room Wednesday and said the sprinkler problem appeared to be causing delays in providing care to patients.

“I heard some nurses talking about it because they seemed very upset about what was happening and they weren’t telling any patients about it,” said Whittaker, who accompanied her sick sister.

“I know the staff are very frustrated and they have been great, but they seem really overworked.”

Whittaker said a nurse told him a patient got upset in his room Sunday and broke the sprinkler.

He said a doctor eventually came and announced there was a major problem they were facing in the emergency department and there might be delays.