MOUNT FOREST – The emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital closed two times over the weekend due to staffing shortages.
Both closures were announced last-minute via social media and hospital officials did not notify the media about them.
The hospital initially announced on Facebook that the department would close on Sept. 6 (Friday) at 3pm and reopen on Sept. 7 (Saturday) at 7am.
That post was published at 1:45pm on Sept. 6 – just over an hour prior to the closure.
Then, on Sept. 8 (Sunday) at 10:55am, the hospital announced the emergency department would close again “effective immediately and will reopen on Sunday [Sept. 8 at 3pm].”
The closures, both of which were attributed to a “staffing shortage,” bring the number of such closures at the hospital since last July to at least 12.
Press releases issued about 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.”
Previous releases also 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.”
