As Sackville Memorial Hospital Emergency Department begins its first of many closures over the coming months, it’s become more apparent that a full return to service could be far away.
Representatives from Horizon Health Network held a media availability less than 24 hours after they announced the Sackville ER would face recurring closures.
Horizon’s Executive Director Nancy Parker said that it is not certain the facility will returns around-the-clock service by September. Instead, they will wait until more nurses have been recruited.
“It should come as no surprise to anyone that we’re facing a nursing shortage. This shortage is severe, and it’s getting worse,” said Horizon’s Vice President of Clinical Geri Geldart.
Sackville’s Emergency Department has nine registered nurse positions, but only six have been filled.
The hospital has been subject to several closures as of late, as staff continue to feel the pressure of being overworked.
“Given the past year with all of the pressures that everybody’s experience with respect to COVID It’s even more important that we give our staff the opportunity of having a small break,” said Geldart.
Sackville’s ER receives an average of nine registrations during weekend hours when they will be closed. As a result, those seeking care will be forced to go elsewhere, putting further stress on other facilities that have already been spread thin.
“We wouldn’t have additional resources from this closure to provide other facilities or have those staff provide care elsewhere,” said Parker on the prospect of Sackville’s nurses aiding other facilities.
Other facilities have faced temporary closures, including Moncton Hospital.
According to VP Geri Geldart, there are still many concerns and the network will not rule out recurring closures for other facilities as well.
