Nursing shortages force bed closures at Durham Hospital
Last week, South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) made the decision to transition 10 inpatient beds currently at the Durham Hospital to the Walkerton and Kincardine sites.
In a press release, Meghan Legge, the director of quality and engagement stated, "This is due to a critical shortage of staff, which is anticipated to intensify during the summer season and will come into effect on June 3."
"We understand your concerns and want to assure you that this decision was made with the safety of our patients and staff top of mind," the release said.
The South Bruce Grey Health Centre leadership team and board of directors reviewed options before coming to this decision.
The decision to transfer patients stems from staffing shortages in both inpatient care and emergency services at the Durham site.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
In the past six months, South Bruce Grey has received 16 applications for registered nursing positions in Durham.
12 of these applications were from out of the country or out of the region applicants who were not aware of the location of the job and were not interested in relocating or interviewing.
Of the four other applicants, one did not meet the hiring requirements for the positions, two are currently in the interview process, and one was hired.
"We have been undertaking recruitment initiatives for years and have been complementing our staffing with agency nurses," the press release stated.
Hospital staff said they are committed to keeping the Durham site open and providing care at that site to the community.
Patients in need of urgent medical attention can continue to access the Durham site daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
SBGHC is continuing to work with the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health to ensure health care remains in the community.
Changes are not taking place until June 3, but the hospital cooperative needs to ensure it has made arrangements before the summer arrives, as it does not have enough staff to keep both inpatient and emergency services open.
SBGHC will host a community webinar on May 14. Details are expected to be shared soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.