The Dryden Regional Health Centre is experiencing high patient volumes, overcapacity pressures and longer emergency room wait times.
Hospital officials says they are dealing with unusually high occupancy rates, stressing the number of patients significantly exceeds the total number of approved beds.
That means admitted patients may be cared for in alternate areas of the health centre and Operating Room elective procedures may be cancelled to accommodate the high number of admissions and demands for patient care.
As well, emergency room wait times have increased and you should be prepared for extended wait times.
Patient care will be delivered on a prioritized basis.
Officials apologize for the inconvenience and stress that they are working diligently at attend to all patients, emergency and inpatient, with safety and quality care at the forefront.
You are asked to avoid the hospital if you are simply feeling unwell with symptoms of a cold or flu.
For non-emergent care, you are encouraged to reach out to the Dryden Area Family Health Team for an appointment with a Nurse Practitioner (223-7406) or to the Dingwall Medical Clinic to see their family physician (223-2258)
Vice-President of Patient Care/Chief Nursing Executive Doreen Armstrong-Ross says “We want to acknowledge that our staff and physicians are working very hard to deliver the services as best as we can, as quickly as possible and safely. We apologize that wait times are long in the Emergency Department; safe and quality care remain our focus.”
