Almonte emergency department closing overnight May 11

ALMONTE – Due to what officials are calling an “unforeseen staffing shortage” the Almonte hospital’s emergency department will close tonight (May 11).

“The emergency department at Almonte General Hospital (AGH) will temporarily close at 7 p.m. today, Saturday, May 11, due to an unforeseen staffing shortage and will re-open at 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 12,” Mississippi River Health Alliance communications lead Taylor Holmes released in a statement today (May 11)..” Patients will not be accepted in the emergency department after 3 p.m. to accommodate this closure. The rest of the hospital is still open and caring for patients.”

“Patient and staff safety is our main priority,” AGH President Brad Harrington said. “These decisions are not made without exhausting all possible options. But like many rural hospitals in Ontario and across the country, we struggle with staffing challenges. Our staff are incredibly hardworking and dedicated to providing the best possible care to our community, and we thank them for all that they do.”

Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 911. Paramedics will take you to the nearest Emergency Department for care.

Patients can also speak with a Registered Nurse at Telehealth Ontario by calling toll-free 1-866-

797-0000 or TTY 1-866-797-0007. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The closest emergency departments are:

• Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital- www.cpdmh.ca
• Arnprior Regional Health – www.arnpriorregionalhealth.ca
• Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital – www.psfdh.on.ca
• Queensway Carleton Hospital – www.qch.on.ca