Following a trend with hospitals across Ontario, Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay is urging area residents to consider alternative options for non-urgent care due to pressures on the hospital.
“Ross Memorial Hospital is impressing upon the local community the severity of the challenges the hospital is facing today due to high patient volumes and a second COVID-19 outbreak,” the hospital states in a media release on Thursday (August 11).
The statement came on the same day the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the hospital’s medical middle unit on Thursday. Last Friday (August 5), the health unit also declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the hospital’s medical north unit.
The hospital is asking patients with less urgent conditions to consider alternate options for care such as their primary health care provider, pharmacist, after-hours clinic, virtual care, or calling Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
“After-hours clinics can often treat non-urgent and minor illnesses and ailments, such as earaches, sore throats or prescription refills,” the hospital states, adding that health care professionals at the hospital “are working around the clock to treat patients as quickly as possible while continuing to administer exceptional care.”
Last Thursday (August 4), Peterborough Regional Health Centre also asked area residents with non-urgent care needs to seek alternative options rather than coming to the emergency department, stating that high patient volumes and staffing shortages were creating “significant pressure” at the hospital.
