As a result of a sudden staff shortage, the St. Marys Memorial Hospital emergency department will close at 5 pm Saturday, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance announced Friday.
In a press release, the healthcare alliance said the emergency department will reopen at 7 am Sunday, at which point regular, 24-7 hours of operation will resume.
Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 911, hospital officials said. Paramedics will remain available to the community and will re-route to the nearest available emergency department.
For non-urgent health care, call Health Connect Ontario at 811, which is available 24-7 for non-emergency health-related questions. If you have a family doctor, you can also inquire about any same-day appointments or after-hours clinics.
The closest 24-hour emergency departments to the St. Marys Memorial Hospital are:
- Stratford – Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance – Stratford General Hospital
- Exeter–South Huron Hospital
- Ingersoll-Alexandra Hospital
- London – London Health Sciences Center – University Hospital or Victoria Hospital
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance recommends anyone planning to visit the emergency departments in Exeter or Ingersoll to first check whether they’re operating with regular hours.