Clinton Public Hospital temporarily closes emergency department due to staffing shortage
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance shut down the emergency department at the Clinton Public Hospital Sunday, citing a staffing shortage.
The temporary closure started at 8 p.m. Saturday and is set to end 8 a.m. Monday.
The HPHA say they decided to close the ER because there weren’t enough registered nurses available to work.
“We have shifts that are posted, and we’re constantly looking to fill them,” says Andrew Williams, the President and CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance. “More often than not the last shift gets filled at the 11th hour, and [it] didn’t happen this time. We just felt that we had to make this call for safety reasons, for everybody that might have presented to the emergency department.”
Residents needing urgent care were told to call 911 and paramedics would transport them to other locations, including: the Seaforth Community Hospital, the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital in Goderich, South Huron Hospital in Exeter, and the Wingham & District Hospital.
Emergency department closure sign at Clinton Public Hospital. (Aug. 1, 2021)
People in Clinton expressed their concern about the decision to close.
“That kind of sucks, I’m sure for them as well as us,” says Linda Carter. “That seems to be when there’s a lot of problems on a long weekend.”
She says her son has had several diabetic seizures, and she worries about him having to wait for medical care any longer than is necessary.
“I would be very concerned to have to drive to Goderich or Seaforth, because he needs immediate attention.”
The emergency department at the Clinton Public Hospital is already operating with reduced hours because of staffing issues.
Williams says he tried calling other hospitals to borrow employees, but those other sites are also facing similar problems.
He adds that the HPHA needs to discuss where staff members are needed as well as recruiting for the area.
“We’re looking at any option to recruit and retain. We have a great team. They’re all stepping up and doing way more than they might normally do, just given the situation we’re in.”
Willliams says, on average, the ER at Clinton Public Hospital sees about 14 patients a day. However none arrived Sunday, which could be the result of HPHA getting out the closure notice early on Saturday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned across Ontario.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.