North Bay Regional Health Centre issued an emergency department wait time alert Friday, citing ongoing physician staffing shortages that are pushing non-urgent patient waits beyond 10 hours. The hospital said it continues to experience staffing challenges despite recruitment efforts and support from locum physicians to maintain services. “Every day, physicians and emergency care teams balance limited physician human resources against high patient volumes and increasingly complex medical needs, making difficult decisions to ensure the sickest patients receive care first,” the hospital said in a news release Aug. 7. Triage approach leads to extended delays While the practice of prioritizing the sickest patients is essential for patient safety, the hospital acknowledged the resulting strain on those with less urgent conditions. “We understand that your visit to the ED means you feel unwell, and not knowing when you will be seen can be frustrating and stressful,” said Dr. Lisa Harman, chief and medical director for the emergency department. “We do want to ask our community to show kindness and understanding to our health care staff during long wait times.” Alternatives to emergency department visits Harman stressed that patients have other options for non-urgent care that can help relieve pressure on the emergency department. “As physicians, our job is to take care of our patients,” Harman said. “We don’t want to see people who need health care wait, and we know you don’t want to be waiting either.” The hospital advised that patients with access to a family doctor or nurse practitioner should turn to them first for non-urgent concerns – adding that some pharmacists in Ontario can now assess minor illnesses or conditions. Furthermore, a mental health crisis line is available at 1-800-352-1141. The health centre has an updated list of community care resources and walk-in clinics on its website, and patients can also consult NBRHC’s wait time tracker to check the current time to see a physician. The hospital said for critical or life-threatening conditions needing immediate attention people should continue to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
