A resident of Conception Bay South demands action from the Newfoundland and Labrador government to address harsh winter conditions at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s. Carl Lundrigan, admitted with pneumonia on February 16, describes his week-long stay as inhumane due to drafty windows and unrelenting cold.
Freezing Rooms Challenge Recovery
Lundrigan reports growing concerns during his hospital stay. ‘I was more worried about being sicker when I got out than when I went in,’ he states. ‘If you’re expected to get well in those circumstances, someone needs to have a look at it.’
On his second night, another patient slept in a winter coat while seated in a chair. As weather worsened, the room grew colder, prompting patients to pile on seven or eight blankets. ‘There’s just no getting warm,’ Lundrigan adds. Another patient shared a quilt to help him stay insulated. He transferred to a warmer room only on his final night.
Lundrigan opposes short-term repairs at the aging facility and urges elected officials to inspect hospitals personally. He shared his experience in a social media post directed at Premier Tony Wakeham. Shortly after, maintenance staff applied plastic sheeting over a window, but Lundrigan says it billowed like a sail, trapping cold air and worsening conditions.
Government Addresses Complaints
Health Minister Lela Evans calls Lundrigan’s account ‘sad and embarrassing’ and apologizes to affected patients. She pledges improvements under the current administration, attributing issues to years of neglected maintenance under the prior Liberal government, which held power from late 2015 to fall 2025.
Evans defends scrapping plans for a new hospital near Paradise, originally proposed to replace St. Clare’s. The Progressive Conservative government opts instead to extend the facility’s lifespan and repurpose a downtown health centre for additional services. ‘I don’t want anyone out there trying to put this on me because of what I’ve been doing,’ Evans asserts. ‘I’m not out there doing flashy announcements about things that make people feel good.’
The minister describes the canceled project as a costly ‘new flashy building’ requiring billions and years to complete, while existing infrastructure deteriorates. Officials plan thorough inspections and maintenance upgrades to address ongoing challenges.
Lundrigan emphasizes the need for long-term solutions. ‘We need something that’s going to be decent where people can actually go that are sick and get better,’ he concludes.
