Some local hospital ER closures 'likely' this summer in Grey-bruce

Temporary emergency department closures are “likely in the coming months” due to hospital staff shortages in Grey-bruce, a joint statement from the three area hospital corporations said.

“Local hospital CEOS and leadership are working together to ensure an emergency department will be open and available within a reasonable distance at all times,” the statement said.

“Temporary service reductions are being discussed as a last resort. Unfortunately, it is expected that contingency plans will need to be put in place where staffing shortages make it unsafe to keep the doors open.”

Potentially affected hospitals are within Grey Bruce Health Services, which has sites in Lion's Head, Wiarton, Southampton, Owen Sound, Meaford and Markdale; Hanover & District Hospital; and South Bruce Grey Health Centre sites in Durham, Chesley, where the emergency department already closes at night, Walkerton and Kincardine.

“Though currently there are no imminent concerns, GBHS has proactively taken the necessary steps to plan for these likely closures,” the regional hospital corporation said in a separate statement in lieu of an interview Friday.

Hanover hospital's president and CEO, Dana Howes, said her hospital hasn't had to close its emergency department yet and “in the current state, we are in a good position to be able to do that throughout the summer,” though staffing is “precarious.”

She said the joint statement was issued to show that local hospital leaders are working together through difficult times. They're sharing experiences, unique staffing patterns and innovative scheduling, she said.

Nancy Shaw, the president and CEO of South Bruce Grey Health Centre, was not available to comment Friday afternoon.

The joint statement said they don't have enough doctors booked to cover all the required shifts and reliance on visiting doctors to fill those gaps is more difficult in summer because of increased demand for them.

The ongoing nurse shortage remain a problem in many hospital departments including emergency departments and some hospitals depend heavily on nursing agencies, the statement said.

“Summer is typically a challenging season for staffing needs to be met, with resources increasingly sparse this year,” GBHS said. “The organization is taking a realistic approach to ensure any closures are organized and well communicated. As always, our priority is the health and safety of our staff, patients and communities.”

Virtual urgent care is available for residents in Grey and Bruce regions and there are enhanced recruitment efforts being made, the joint statement said.

“Community hospitals typically see a very small number of patients between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Regardless of volumes, an accessible and staffed emergency department within a reasonable distance is essential,” the joint statement said.

Howes in Hanover said that's not to suggest nighttime temporary closures would be more likely than daytime closures.

The public will be promptly notified of any emergency department closure, the joint statement said. “We have worked with Grey and Bruce EMS and Air Ornge to prepare for diversion should one of the EDS need to reduce its hours.”