Longer than usual wait times at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has staff encouraging you to take a book or electronic device to help pass the time.
With warming temperatures and children on March Break, officials say recent ER patient volumes are up 10%-15%. President and CEO Colin Patey adds that the increase coupled with reduced staffing levels because of the March Break is increasing wait times.
"Although wait times always fluctuate, this significant increase in volume is resulting in increased wait times for some of our Emergency Department patients. We know that lengthy wait times have an impact on patient satisfaction so we felt it was important to communicate our current challenges so that those choosing to come to the ED for non-urgent care come prepared for a longer stay," says Patey. The hospital is reminding visitors that free Wi-Fi is available in the Emergency Department waiting rooms.
CKHA regularly encourages those with minor or non-urgent conditions to consider alternate care locations such as their family doctors or primary care providers, local community health centres or family health teams.
