Due to ongoing staffing shortages, the Wingham and District Hospital Emergency Department will be closed overnight.

Urgent care will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Saturday until 7 a.m. on Sunday.

In the case of a medical emergency, patients can call 911 as Emergency Medical Services will be re-routed to other hospitals in the area.

The closest hospitals include Listowel, Clinton, Goderich, Palmertston, Seaforth, Kincardine, and Walkerton. However, the Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance advises that these facilities may also be experiencing staffing shortages, so it’s best to call ahead of visiting to ensure their emergency rooms remain open.

Non-urgent calls can be directed to Health Connect Ontario by dialing 811. Their call centre is available around the clock for health-related questions.

“This is a temporary measure and our staff, board, physicians and leadership regret that we have to take this step,” said a statement from the hospitals alliance. “We are thankful for the support of our staff and physicians and appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during this time.”

The Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance has been taking steps to address their staffing shortages in recent weeks.