Over 4400 hospital staff members have retired from the healthcare field in the past four years.
Combined with the challenges presented by COVID-19, hospitals across Southwestern Ontario are facing staffing shortages.
In an effort to keep hospitals running smoothly and keeping wait times at a minimum, all hospitals in the South West will be preparing a coordinated summer planning overview.
This will help predict staff availability for services like emergency, surgery, labour and delivery and laboratory, with the goal to identify areas of concern and make sure plans are in place.
In emergency situations, hospitals remind the public to call 9-1-1,. If your needs are non-urgent, please consider other health system supports, such as your primary care provider’s office or Health Connect Ontario (formerly Telehealth Ontario).
