Stella Maris de Kent Hospital emergency department to return to full service

Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, N.B., is pictured. (Source: Vitalité Health Network)

Vitalité Health Network has extended the operating hours of an emergency department at a rural New Brunswick hospital. The change comes after members of the community created a petition to have 24/7 health care restored in their backyard.

Beginning the week of May 5, the emergency department at Stella‑Maris‑de‑Kent Hospital in Kent County will be accessible overnights on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. That means the department will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The emergency room is a very important component of our hospital,” Beausolei-Grand-Bouctouche-Kent MLA Benoît Bourque told CTV News on April 9. “It’s a pass-through area where there’s a lot of traffic going through Route 11 between the north and the south of the province, so accidents are prone to happen. There is over 30,000 people living in Kent County.”

Vitalité Health Network says the department will have a reduced team between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., which could result in longer wait times.

“Patients requiring immediate medical attention will be prioritized and will receive prompt care,” reads a news release from Vitalité Health Network.

Everyone who goes to the emergency department for care will be assessed by a triage nurse, according to the health network.

“Do not attempt to assess the severity of your symptoms on your own. If you have any doubts about your health condition, it is preferable to visit the emergency department for an evaluation by a health professional,” reads the release.

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