The Newfoundland and Labrador government is being accused of using a double standard in delaying repairs at its own hospitals while threatening closures of private care homes.

The Waterford Hospital is one of several public institutions with deficient sprinkler coverage.
(CBC)

The government told 22 operators of personal care homes that it will close them later this month if they have not signed contracts to install sprinkler systems, in accordance with orders issued in 2003 and 2005.

However, documents released this week show the province was told in 2005 that its St. John's hospitals had serious deficiencies, with an entire wing of the Waterford psychiatric hospital lacking sprinklers.

There are other problems. The hospital on Bell Island, for instance, has 20 beds but no sprinklers, and it will cost about $1 million to install them.

The hospital in Carbonear will only have sprinklers installed in its upper floors this year.

Surplus available to cover upgrades: operator

Herb Spurrell, whose family owns a personal care home in the Goulds neighbourhood of St. John's, and is one of those trying to comply with the latest sprinkler orders, said it's hypocritical for the government to crack down on private homes while ignoring its own facilities.

Personal home care operator Herb Spurrell said the government should use its surplus to pay for institutional upgrades.
(CBC)

"It's ridiculous," Spurrell told CBC News.

"You're working on a $900-million surplus this year, and we still have hospitals — nursing homes and hospitals — in Third World conditions."

Keith Bowden, the director of infrastructure for Eastern Health, said while patient bedrooms in the Waterford hospital have sprinkler coverage, the authority does not have the money to make the changes it needs to do.

"We can't keep all the balls in the air," Bowden said.

Costs mounting, Eastern Health says

Earlier this week, Bowden said the cost of bringing St. John's hospitals up to standard is now about $169 million, significantly more than the $135-million tab flagged in a 2005 report by a Boston-based consulting firm.

Bowden said that Eastern Health asked the provincial government for $95 million last year to pay for repairs and upgrades but only received $3.6 million.

CBC News was told Friday that Fire Commissioner Fred Hollett was out of town. Municipal Affairs Minister Dave Denine, who is responsible for the fire commissioner's office, was not available Friday for comment.

Meanwhile, New Democratic Party Leader Lorraine Michael has focused her aim on Health Minister Ross Wiseman, who has come under fire for how he has handled the city hospitals issue.

Earlier this week, Wiseman — who attempted to downplay CBC News coverage of internal discussions on reforming how health care is delivered in the city — revealed the existence of the 2005 report by the Boston consultants, but admitted he had not read it.

Michael said Wiseman has lost control of his portfolio, citing how Wiseman has handled an ongoing controversy over hormone receptor tests for breast cancer patients.

Michael said Premier Danny Williams should replace Wiseman immediately, and that Williams should take over the health care portfolio personally.