Ontario ER Closures Drop but Persist: New Notification Rules Implemented
Ontario's healthcare system has seen a significant shift in emergency room closures. While the number of closures has been dropping since July 2022, the most instances occurred in 2023. Ontario Health now requires hospitals to notify it of major department closures to the public, including emergency rooms near me.
In 2022, hospitals were closed for more hours than in 2023. Notably, Perth And Smiths Falls District Hospital's Perth site was shut for over 500 hours in July 2022. However, 2023 saw more reported instances of shut down departments, with the Ottawa Hospital experiencing a closure on its general campus for over 100 hours in October.
The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital was closed for almost 90 hours over the New Year due to a nursing shortage. Significant closures in 2022 included Chesley hospital emergency room from October to December. Despite a substantial drop in 2024, closures were not eradicated.
More than 50 instances of emergency room closures were recorded in Ontario last year. While the trend shows a decrease since July 2022, the healthcare system continues to face challenges. Ontario Health's new requirement for hospitals to notify major department closures aims to enhance transparency and public awareness, helping patients find emergency rooms near me more easily.
