The Durham Hospital ER will begin to close overnight for an extended period starting in March.
The South Bruce Grey Health Centre says in a release, there are a significant number of unfilled nursing shifts for the Durham hospital that begins on March 10th.
South Bruce Grey Health Centre President and CEO Nancy Shaw says in addition to their permanent nursing staff, the hospital organization already uses agency nurses to cover vacant shifts. She notes, “But right now there is such a large number of vacancies that it’s just not sustainable to use agency staffing to cover all the shifts.”
Shaw adds, “Even with this transition to straight days, we still do not have a robust schedule. That’s important to understand as well.”
A release from the SBGHC says, “We are experiencing an ongoing shortage of nurses and do not have the necessary staff to keep the Durham hospital emergency department open at night for the foreseeable future. This difficult decision has been made for the safety of our patients and staff.”
The Durham site gets fewer than one patient (0.8) on average during the overnight hours.
The emergency department at the Durham hospital will be closed overnight, every night, from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. and will be open and operational from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m seven days a week.
This reduction in service will start on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and will extend for an indefinite period of time.
The SBGHC says, “Hospitals across Canada and Ontario are facing staffing challenges and South Bruce Grey Health Centre is no exception.”
Shaw notes, “We know that short-term service reductions are not sustainable, and we need long-term solutions as we continue to face significant staffing challenges,” adding, “Our board and senior leadership team remain focused on stabilizing all of our sites for the future and providing a high-quality and safe system of care our communities can have confidence in.”
Shaw says they are engaging with the government on short-term supports and long-term options.
The Durham hospital has ten beds, an emergency department outpatient clinic services. The hospital is also attached to a primary care medical clinic where there are family doctors.
The Chesley hospital, which is another one of SBGHC’s sites, has had overnight closures for a few years and is also closed on weekends.
Nearby hospitals include the following:
Hanover & District Hospital
90-7th Avenue
519-364-2340
18 KM
North Wellington Health Care – Louise Marshall Hospital – Mount Forest
630 Dublin St.
(519) 323-2210
24KM
Brightshores Health System – Markdale
220 Toronto St. South
519-986-3040
28 KM
South Bruce Grey Health Centre – Walkerton
21 McGivern St. W.
519-881-1220
29 KM
Brightshores Health System – Owen Sound
1800 8th St. East
519-376-2121
46 KM