Ste. Anne Emergency Department set to reopen with reduced hours

The Emergency Department at Ste. Anne Hospital will reopen on Friday of this week. 

Southern Health-Sante Sud announced a temporary two week closure on Friday, February 16th. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Denis Fortier made it clear that the closure would be temporary and that it was the result of health human resources. More specifically, Dr. Fortier says a few physicians there took some much-needed vacation.

"We wanted to be sure that we did offer vacation to these physicians who are working very hard, given that we are still in a human resource crisis," adds Dr. Fortier.

He says their physicians and nurses are picking up a lot of extra shifts and so when they request time off, it is important to approve that vacation time, in order for staff to recharge their batteries.

Dr. Fortier says over the last two weeks they have definitely noticed an increase at other emergency rooms in the region. However, he says it is difficult to know whether that is a direct result of the closure in Ste. Anne. Dr. Fortier says it could also have to do with the normal surge that comes from time to time, depending on the day or week and depending on the respiratory illness or gastrointestinal illness that is circulating. 

But, Dr. Fortier says the regional health authority had anticipated a potential spike in visits and added a few extra hours of physician services at Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach as a precaution. 

"I've not heard of any particular concerns about surges that were over what we were able to manage," he says. "So I think all in all, it worked out okay."

The Ste. Anne Emergency Department will officially reopen at eight o'clock on Friday morning. However, Dr. Fortier reminds the public that it is still only a return to reduced hours. Beginning Friday, that Emergency Department will be open from 8 am to 4 pm, seven days a week.

Dr. Fortier says the expectation now is that Ste. Anne Emergency Department should remain open, with reduced hours, for at least the next two months. However, he is quick to point out that they never want to over-promise, especially considering that the health system is struggling from a human resource standpoint. 

"We sometimes are only one phone call away because of limited staff," adds Dr. Fortier. "If one person calls in sick or needs to take time off, then that can really cause some challenges in the schedules."

Meanwhile, Dr. Fortier says a big thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding. 

"These are trying times," he adds. "I understand the challenges that these health human resources pose on our patients."

Dr. Fortier also says a big thank you to their healthcare providers who go above and beyond to try and deliver the best care possible.