The South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) is working to restore its services in Walkerton and Chesley hospitals following experiencing reductions.
The SBGHC says on Dec. 27, 2021, the Walkerton hospital emergency department had to close overnight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. In addition, the inpatient unit at the Chesley site was changed to a 20-bed alternate level of care unit to allow for an alternate staffing model to be used when required.
The alternate level of care patients will no longer need acute care and are waiting placement at either long-term care, groups homes, and homes with care supports.
SBGHC Board Chair Bill Heikkila says the board of directors recognizes the impact the reduction in services has had on the community, and are working to restore services as soon as they are able.
“We continue to attach considerable urgency to this issue, and are taking significant steps to return our four hospital sites to full services,” says Heikkila.
In 2019, a recruitment and retention action plan was established and has been updated with additional immediate actions to address nursing shortages at SBGHC to ensure the return to full service.
These include having three full time single site registered nurse positions posted, with two at the Walkerton site and one at Chesley.
The SBGHC has also utilized registered midwives to stabilize the staffing in the family birthing centre, and use nursing externship positions for registered nursing students.
On top of these recruitment projects, the plan details a list of both new and existing retention initiatives, which includes a third-party review of scheduling practice to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
The SBGHC says they are not the only ones facing the nursing shortage, as it is also taking place across the province. SBGHC says, however, they are taking the steps needed to set the hospital apart from other hospitals to show it is an organization where nurses would want to work.
SBGHC President and CEO Michael Barrett says they are committed to having four strong and viable hospital sites in southern Grey and Bruce counties.
“Nursing recruitment and retention is the immediate and first priority of the SBGHC Board and Leadership Team, and the hospital is taking the necessary steps to resolve this issue and restore these critical services in our communities,” says Barrett.
The SBGHC says they will be setting up some engagement sessions for the Walkerton and Chesley communities to review and discuss the recruitment and retention action plan in the coming weeks.
If residents would like to submit questions or request a presentation to their community group, they can reach out to Meghan Legge at mlegge@sbghc.on.ca.
