Significant wait times at all four Quinte Health hospitals
Administrator | Dec 29, 2023 | Comments 1
Head into the New Year’s weekend, Quinte Health emergency departments are experiencing longer than average wait times due to staffing challenges and an increase in the number of patients needing care at all four hospitals.
“If your health concern isn’t an emergency, please consider one of the alternative health care options, such as the East Region Virtual Care Clinic, listed on the ‘Know where to go’ section of our website,” said Catherine Walker, Quinte Health Manager, Communications and Community Relations.
“Our teams respond first to the most critically ill patients. That means patients that aren’t facing imminent, life-threatening issues will wait for longer periods of time and we recommend they come with reading material or a device to help pass the time.
“We understand that patients waiting can feel terrible and uncomfortable, but in the hospital setting, we must care for the most timely and grave health issues first. We ask for everyone’s patience at this time and for your continued support and respect for our teams.”
With COVID-19, influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulating at the same time as common cold and cough viruses – the hospitals report they are experiencing a high number of respiratory illnesses.
“Certain members of our community, such as older adults, pregnant individuals, young children, and those with compromised immune systems, face a higher risk of experiencing severe illness, complications, and hospitalizations. Help minimize the transmission of respiratory illnesses by staying home when unwell, frequent handwashing, and consistently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.”
Filed Under: Local News
Interesting that we are in this situation. For over two decades the funding for health care has been less than required to address the needs of an aging population. The most capable nurses graduating from our universities such a Queens and others in the province have not had offers of fulltime employment. They have been offered part time contracts at different hospital and on call job offers. Well these young people need to now move on with their career in nursing, What do they do. They go mainly to the United States where recruiters are offering good pay and fulltime employment. Some say they will return after a few years but that does not happen. They develop relationships and have a new life far from home. This is the result of health care being under funded and under appreciated in Ontario.