Petrolia's CEE hospital is losing its Endoscopy service as Bluewater Health looks for savings to address a projected $6-million shortfall in 2015-2016.
All endoscopic surgeries (at CEE) will be done in Sarnia beginning in January with the consolidation saving $100,000.
Chief Operating Officer Mike Lapaine says the shift allows them to meet ministry funding levels, maintain the volume of Endoscopy services and continue timely access to those services.
The move also allows the expansion of floor space in the Emergency Department in Petrolia to improve patient flow.
Lapaine says the impact on staffing will be minimal and he doesn't expect any involuntary job loss.
He says in response to the budget shortfall they're looking at "reshaping services."
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Endoscopy services at CEE currently run three days a week during 44 weeks of the year.
About a thousand procedures are done a year in Petrolia and 4,500 in Sarnia.