The Chesley Emergency Department is in for a lengthy closure.

A statement from the South Bruce Grey Health Centre says the emergency department at Chesley Hospital will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, September 22 and won’t reopen until Tuesday, September 27 at 7 a.m. The SBGHC says this lengthy full closure of the ED in Chesley is due to a critical shortage of nurses.

“All efforts to find staffing for the emergency department have been undertaken without success,” it said. “Ambulance by-pass will be undertaken to divert patients to the nearest open ED.”

Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 911 to be taken to the nearest emergency department. For non-urgent health care needs, Health Connect Ontario is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions by calling 811.

The closest emergency departments to the Chesley hospital are:

Hanover (19km)

Walkerton (26km)

Durham (36km)

Southampton (42km)

Markdale (44km)

Owen Sound (46km)

Kincardine (60km)

Mount Forest (60km)

Palmerston (60km)