RVH president cites many factors for long hospital wait times
The president and CEO of Simcoe Muskoka's largest hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), addressed a recent report revealing troubling wait times in its emergency department.
Janice Skot cited several factors, including patient transfers from smaller hospitals and infrastructure challenges, following the report by Ontario Quality Health that recorded average wait times in the Barrie hospital's ER at nearly two and a half hours in April.
The province-wide average was 1.9 hours before patients could see a doctor.
"Remember, it's multi-factorial," noted Skot. "We need to have enough beds, and therefore we need our ALC patients to safely be discharged, and then that frees up beds and allows our patients to move through the emergency department as opposed to waiting too long for an inpatient stay.
So our building needs to expand in the long-term. In the short-term, I want to assure the public we are doing everything possible in terms of recruitment and staffing."
Skot said the pandemic created staffing shortages that have improved in recent weeks.
The Barrie hospital plans to expand its cold and flu clinic on Sperling Drive, providing an alternative to the emergency room and helping to ease patient wait times.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.