MOUNT FOREST – For the third time this summer, the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital here will temporarily close this weekend.
A Sept. 6 press release from North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), which operates hospitals in Mount Forest and Palmerston, states the closure – the “result of a staffing shortage” – will take place between Sept. 9 at 5am and Sept. 10 at 7am.
“Emergency Medical Services (EMS – Ambulances) will remain available to the community and will be re-routed to surrounding hospitals to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need,” the release states.
For non-urgent health care, residents can call Health Connect Ontario at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
This is the third time in just over two months the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital has closed due to staffing shortages.
The other closures took place on July 6/7 and July 20/21.
The NWHC release provides a list of the closest hospitals, but notes “they may also be experiencing temporary closures due to staffing shortages, so it is advised that you confirm that they are open before heading there.”
Officials say the closest emergency departments to Louise Marshall Hospital are:
- Palmerston and District Hospital (20 minutes);
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Durham (23 minutes);
- Listowel Memorial Hospital (32 minutes);
- Hanover and District Hospital (33 minutes);
- South Bruce Grey Health Centre in Walkerton (37 minutes);
- Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Aboyne (37 minutes); and
- Wingham and District Hospital (42 minutes).
