Pembroke, Ont. hospital anticipating doctor shortages this spring and summer
The Pembroke Regional Hospital says it is expecting longer wait times this spring and summer because of anticipated physician shortages.
The hospital shared a statement on social media asking prospective patients to be prepared to wait longer than usual this May to September.
"While there is no risk of closure of the hospital's Emergency Department, patients are being asked to prepare for longer-than-usual waits, at times, and, if appropriate, to consider alternative options for non-emergency care," it said on Facebook.
These include seeing a family physician, contacting the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (1-844-727-6404) or going to a walk-in clinic in the west end of Ottawa.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
For patients like Michael McDonald, who has had to visit Pembroke's emergency room in the past, the thought of having to wait even long is a daunting one.
"(I was) in the waiting room facing the glass. I didn't know I was being called, I didn't hear anything. I was left for over ten hours," the Pembroke resident tells CTV News.
"They're very slow to get you in. Once you see a doctor, you're fine. But you just sit there and wait. It's ridiculous."
The Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (VTAC) as created in Renfrew County to help fill the gaps for residents without a family doctor and to ease the strain on local emergency rooms.
"We're seeing about 300 people, 300 interactions every day, and this is reaching our capacity," said Mathieu Grenier, deputy chief with the Renfrew County Paramedic Service.
Community paramedics who are able to provide care for minor or acute issues, such as flu-like symptoms, as well as administer vaccinations staff the centres.
Grenier says with the extra demand expected this summer now, the paramedic service has reached out for more help.
"We have requested for the province to provide us more funding to increase capacity, and we're waiting for them to give us an answer. And with those extra physician hours we could increase our capacity towards 350 to 400 patients every day."
Anyone experiencing a medical emergency is still asked to call 9-1-1 or go to their nearest emergency department.
"We would like to thank our community for your ongoing support and we ask for your patience with staff and physicians during this exceptionally challenging time," the hospital said.
Visiting the Pembroke Hospital Tuesday, Renfrew resident Anne Andrews says she's gone out of her way to get faster care when needing to visit the ER.
"We've gone to Barry's Bay, Deep River, because you don't have the wait times that you have here, because you don't have the population. So you go somewhere where there's less people."
Staffing shortages in the region have contributed to temporary closures of some emergency departments, most notably in Almonte and Carleton Place, which each saw several closures last year.
Earlier this year, a poll of hospital staff in Ottawa and the Valley suggested many hospital workers are considering leaving the industry. Increased workload and inadequate compensation were seen as the main drivers of dissatisfaction and burnout among health-care providers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.