Ambulatory Care services will be reducing hours on Monday at both of the hospitals in Chatham-Kent until further notice to ensure staffing levels are sufficient to care for patients staying in the hospital.
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has more than 40 staff self-isolating due to outbreaks on the COVID-19 Unit and the Medical Unit and that has caused a staffing crunch.
CKHA said Ambulatory Care staff who perform medical services on out-patients will be redeployed to help non-outbreak areas in need. Hospital officials said individuals needing emergency care will continue to get care and cancer and dialysis clinics will remain unchanged.
Ambulatory Care clinics at the Wallaceburg site will be combined with the Chatham site temporarily to better meet staffing needs but there will be no changes to the Wallaceburg Ambulatory Care Victoria Order of Nurses clinics with these reductions. Patients will be contacted in advance by their physician’s office if their scheduled appointments are affected.
"In response to the COVID-19 outbreaks recently declared on CKHA’s COVID-19 Unit and Medicine A/B Unit, extra safety precautions such as cohorting staff and staff isolation requirements as per Chatham-Kent Public Health guidelines have affected staffing levels across the organization," read a statement from the hospital. "CKHA continues to rely on the best available evidence and practices across the region to ensure we make the work conditions for those redeployed respectful and supportive."
CKHA reminds the community that the hospital remains a safe place to receive care, and to visit the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 if you're experiencing an emergency.
"CKHA would like to thank its patients and care partners for their understanding during this time," said the organization.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
