One of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance's (HPHA) emergency departments will experience reduced hours and overnight closures beginning this week.
On Tuesday, the HPHA said the temporary changes will impact Seaforth Community Hospital from February 1-6. The healthcare organization said the service reductions are a result of "health human resource shortages related to COVID-19."
Seaforth Community Hospital's emergency department will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, reopen Thursday at 7 a.m. and run on a 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule until Monday morning when the hospital will open again at 7 a.m., and resume a 24 hour daily service.
"Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 9-1-1," a statement from HPHA read. "Paramedics will remain available to the community and will re-route to the nearest available Emergency Department to ensure local residents continue to have access to the emergency services they need."
Those experiencing non-urgent health care concerns are advised to call Health Connect Ontario at 811, a service which provides 24/7 service by answering non-emergency, health-related questions.
The next closest 24-hour emergency departments are the South Huron Hospital in Exeter, Alexandra Marine & General Hospital in Goderich, and Stratford General Hospital. HPHA advises residents to double check with those facilities before attending to ensure they are operating on a regular schedule.