Portage hospital has mould, leaks while new building empty

Reports of visible mould and leaking pipes in the dialysis department at Portage District General Hospital have sparked sharp criticism from local leadership, with calls growing for the provincial government to open the city’s newly constructed healthcare facility without further delay.

Jeff Bereza, Progressive Conservative MLA for Portage la Prairie, said he has been contacted by concerned hospital staff and patients undergoing treatment who are worried about environmental safety inside the aging facility.

According to Bereza, patients have reported foul odours from leaking fluid and visible mould along walls in the dialysis department. He noted that some patients have expressed fear over potential health risks or the prospect of being relocated to distant healthcare centres for treatment if the issue escalates.

“The real concern is for people’s health and the staff health, that’s where the concern lies,” Bereza said, adding that photos provided to him showed mould on interior walls that was subsequently covered with heavy plastic sheeting.

The environmental concerns come as a brand-new hospital facility sits completed directly adjacent to the current building. Construction wrapped up earlier this year, with keys handed over to health authorities and healthcare workers already inside conducting operational training. Despite initial expectations of a fall opening, the provincial timeline has been pushed to spring.

Bereza questioned the delay, arguing that conditions in the existing facility underscore the urgency of transitioning services immediately.

In a written statement, provided from Southern Health Santé-Sud, Lauren Doell, director of Portage District General Hospital, maintained that patient, staff, and visitor safety remains the top priority.

“As soon as a concern involving a leaking pipe in the dialysis department was identified, established protocols were initiated to assess and address the situation,” Doell said. “The hospital is working with Workplace Health and Safety and is following all recommendations.”

Doell added that impacted materials have been isolated, air quality testing has been arranged, and repair work is underway while the area continues to be closely monitored to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, after touring the Dauphin hospital in recent days, which closed due to flooding in the area, Bereza believes the state of healthcare is definitely not an isolated issue in the province.

“It sounds like the Portage Hospital is way more ready to be open,” he said. “I can understand wanting to open up the Dauphin Hospital so that people have a place to go. Because Ste Rose is overwhelmed. We’ve just seen a letter from a Ste Rose doctor about how things are failing in their area as well. I think Manitobans deserve some straight answers. They need to feel safe in the buildings they’re in.”

Bereza also raised broader concerns regarding regional diagnostic access, referencing the Portage Hospital Foundation’s $5-million commitment to a new MRI machine. He questioned why intermediate solutions — such as mobile MRI units — have not been deployed to reduce patient wait times. The Portage MLA researched costs of mobile units, which were found to be around $3.5 million.

“After the Dauphin one went down, again, I contacted suppliers of MRI machines,” said Bereza. “I don’t understand waiting so long for diagnostic services, and we have the ability to get one going right now. I don’t know what more the people of Portage can do to continue to help to support this new hospital.”

In a written statement to The Graphic Leader, Manitoba Health Minister Asagwara commended Southern Health for attending to the current health issues at the old hospital:

“The safety of patients and health-care workers at Portage District General Hospital is our priority. We are aware of the concerns that have been raised, and that Southern Health responded quickly to actively assess and address affected areas while continuing to provide safe patient care.

I understand why people in Portage are eager to get into their new hospital, and we are eager to see it open too. We look forward to opening the doors in 2027, but the work between now and then is critical to making sure patients and staff can move into the new facility safely and that every service is ready from day one.”

The new hospital is set to open in spring of next year.

» Portage Graphic Leader