MOUNT FOREST – Yet another “staffing shortage” means the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital here will be closed for a portion of this weekend.
The department will close on Dec. 30 (Saturday) at 5pm and reopen on Dec. 31 (Sunday) at 7am, states a press release from North Wellington Health Care (NWHC), which operates hospitals in Mount Forest and Palmerston.
“Patients are asked to call 911 if they have a medical emergency,” the Dec. 29 release stated.
“Emergency Medical Services (ambulances) will remain available to the community and will re-route to surrounding hospitals to ensure residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need.”
For non-urgent health care, residents are directed to call Health Connect Ontario at 811, which is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions.
The announcement marks at least the eighth time since July the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital has closed due to staffing shortages.
Previous closures took place on July 6/7, July 20/21, Aug. 9/10, Sept. 9/10, Sept. 16-18, Sept. 30/Oct. 1 and Nov. 17/18/19.
The NWHC release provided a list of the closest hospitals, but noted 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 stated the closest emergency departments to Louise Marshall Hospital are:
- 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.).
