The Durham Hospital is closing its emergency department overnight Monday, July 17, and Friday, July 21, on top of their regular weekend closures.
For both closures, the ER will close at 5 p.m. and reopen the following morning at 7 a.m.
South Bruce Grey Health Centre says the closures are due to insufficient staffing. It temporarily reduced weekend service at the hospital this summer, because of the ongoing shortage of physicians, nurses, and other health care workers over the summer months.
Ambulance by-pass will be undertaken to divert patients to the nearest open ER.
As other area hospitals note, the closures at neighbouring facilities can mean longer wait times for patients.
The closest emergency departments to the Durham Hospital are in Hanover, Mount Forest, Walkerton, and Markdale.
