MOUNT FOREST – The emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital was closed yet again on Saturday.
According to a press release from North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), which operates the Mount Forest hospital, the department was to close on Dec. 7 between 12 and 9pm.
The release attributed the move to “a staffing shortage” and was sent at 11:40am on Saturday, just 40 minutes prior to the closure.
This is at least the 12th closure of the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital since last July.
Previous closures took place in March, April and September of this year, in addition to eight closures between July and December of 2023.
The Dec. 7 NWHC press release stated, “Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 9-1-1.
“Paramedics will take you to the next nearest emergency department for care.”
Previous press releases included a list of the closest emergency departments to Louise Marshall Hospital, including:
- Palmerston and District Hospital (20 minutes);
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Durham (23 min.);
- Listowel Memorial Hospital (32 min.);
- Hanover and District Hospital (33 min.);
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton (37 min.);
- Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Aboyne (37 min.); and
- Wingham and District Hospital (42 min.).
In the past, NWHC officials have stressed those hospitals “may also be experiencing temporary closures due to staffing shortages, so it is advised that you confirm that they are open before heading there.”
