MOUNT FOREST – For the 10th time since last summer, the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital is closing for a portion of the weekend.
Due to a staffing shortage, the department will close on April 6 (Saturday) at 7pm and reopen on April 7 (Sunday) at 7am.
The announcement was made on April 5 in a one-sentence press release from North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), which operates hospitals in Mount Forest and Palmerston.
The closure marks at least the 10th time since last July the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital has closed due to staffing shortages.
Previous closures took place on July 6/7 and 20/21, Aug. 9/10, Sept. 9/10 and 16-18, Sept. 30/Oct. 1, Nov. 17/18/19, Dec. 30/31 and March 15/16.
Though not included in the April 5 announcement, press releases issued about the previous closures stated “Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 9-1-1.
“Paramedics will take you to the next nearest emergency department for care.”
Also not included in the April 5 press release is the 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.”
