The ThunderBlogs

Tensions regarding the level of care and resources at the West End’s St. Paul’s Hospital have continued to thrive despite the coalition’s success at impeding the relocation of the downtown health institution and historical monument.

Amongst the aged corridors of the building are crowded bulletin boards overflowing with pamphlets requesting donations. Further surrounding the building are brochures encouraging an entire revitalization of the hospital itself.

“Renewal is preferable and plausible,” said Brent Granby, president of the West End Residents Association.

“90000 people live within walking distance. Inevitably this is a necessary spot for a hospital,” he added.

St Paul’s Hospital, a historical milestone in the West End, stands ominously shadowing the countless nearby office buildings with its tall red brick towers and dramatic architecture. Hundreds of hurried citizens walk past the hospital while others sit to rest on the benches in front.

And while this simply describes the busy atmosphere outside of the building, the ambience within proves to be more hectic.

The long white hallways fill with the sounds of metal clattering and drumming of the hospital carts being rolled down the corridors. Doctors appear stressed as they hurriedly pass from room to room. A young girl, barely a teenager, lies publically ill on a gurney in the waiting room for everyone to witness.

“The level of care is fairly great but inevitably it’s an issue when staff have to work a little bit better to make up for less resources,” said Granby.

Although the protection of the downtown location was preferred by majority of the community, this does not come without visible challenges.

For one, the lack of space is evident. Outside one room a elderly woman complains about her roommates’ visitors being too noisy. Inside, two additional patients sleep soundly despite the noise.

“In a time in which disease rates are growing and the population is expanding this is difficult,” said Granby, “having single rooms is preferable.”

Not to mention the inherent architectural constraints that occupy a building built over a century ago. The arrangement of the hospital is, in fact, paradoxical.

While the doctors and visitors in good health run up and down the large stairwell, the patients in wheelchairs wait patiently in line for a small single elevator looking impatient.

Solutions will not come easily. Will the government finally agree to the costs of revitalization, silencing the feuds that have been ongoing since 2002? And yet, if the hospital continues to function downtown will renovations alter the traditional architecture of a historical landmark that has been standing for hundreds of year.