Queens General Hospital in Liverpool, NS. Photo: NSHA
The Queens General Hospital Emergency Room had a perfect record of being open until this Monday.
Due to physician shortages, the ER was forced to close down Monday at 6 a.m., it reopened again this morning at 8 a.m. but more closures are on the horizon.
The ER has already said they will have to close again on Tuesday night, reopening Wednesday morning.
Progressive Conservative MLA Kim Masland says more closures will continue until the government finds a way to relieve the burdensome load ER’s are currently dealing with. Masland said, “This is just the beginning, there are 70,000 Nova Scotians waiting for doctors right now and when they need care they end up in ER’s that aren’t intended for that type of work,”
Masland also believes the work undertaken by doctors in ERs given the current situation is unhealthy for them. “Our doctors are suffering from tremendous burnout from this government,” Masland said. “They’re frustrated, they are demoralized, they feel a sense of powerlessness to help residents of their community access the care they need in a timely manner,”
Whilst closed anyone with urgent medical needs should call 911. For general health advice and information call 811, which is a service offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by experienced registered nurses.
The Mental Health Crisis Line can also be reached 24/7 by calling 1-888-429-8167.
