Network further temporarily reducing non-urgent services in Northwest Zone facilities

Edmundston, Friday, January 5, 2021 - The COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the Northwest Zone continues to be of concern, and new cases are reported daily. In this context, Vitalité Health Network must further reduce non-urgent services at the Edmundston Regional Hospital, Grand Falls General Hospital and Hôtel-Dieu-Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin.

According to Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, service reductions will be adjusted according to the facilities’ capabilities and the epidemiology of the local community. "The objective is to ensure that there is some leeway in order to have all the resources available so that all facilities can be ready to accommodate an influx of COVID-19 patients, while reducing traffic inside these facilities to minimize the risk of spreading the virus,” she said.

The Network reminds the public to limit Emergency Department visits in facilities in the Northwest Zone, except for critical situations.

The high occupancy rates, the shortage of human resources and the preventive measures that must be observed at all times because of COVID-19 are the prominent factors that result from this measure.

The Emergency Department in these facilities remains available for people who need urgent care and who wish to see a doctor. However, the Network asks people whose health condition is not critical to see their family doctor or nurse practitioner, consult their community pharmacist, visit a walk-in clinic or call Tele-Care (811). People who come to the Emergency Department for non-urgent reasons must be patient and expect longer than usual wait times.

The Network thanks the public for their valuable collaboration during this difficult period.