A general surgeon staffing shortage at Bluewater Health has forced a temporary closure at the hospital.
Bluewater Health said general surgery services will be closed from Friday, December 27 to Thursday, January 2 impacting urgent and emergent surgeries.
During the closure, patients requiring acute and urgent general surgery interventions may be transferred to the most appropriate and nearest hospital.
Some of the more common and urgent general surgical interventions include an appendectomy for appendicitis, bowel perforation or obstructions, inflamed gall bladders, active gastrointestinal bleeding, acute pancreatitis and bile duct issues.
Bluewater Health said all elective and scheduled surgeries will continue as normal.
The hospital said the community is encouraged to continue utilizing Bluewater Health emergency departments for all acute medical needs during the closure. Patients requiring acute abdominal surgical interventions will be assessed in the emergency department and a determination will be made if a transfer to a partner hospital is required.
"Our partner hospitals are aware of our temporary general surgery coverage issues and will be available to assist as needed," read a news release from Bluewater Health. "Bluewater Health continues to actively recruit general surgeons to replace the recently retired and departed surgeons."
