Vitalité Health Network asks Moncton residents to reduce use of the Emergency Department

Moncton, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 – The Network is asking residents of Moncton and the surrounding areas to limit visits to the Emergency Department at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital.

“We are asking that people go to the Emergency Department only if their health condition requires critical care. The high occupancy level and shortage of human resources are currently putting extra strain on our medical and nursing staff. This measure aims to reduce the volume of patients while the situation stabilizes,” stated Sharon Smyth-Okana, Vice-President of Clinical Services.

The Emergency Department remains available for people who need urgent care and who wish to see a doctor. The Network asks people whose health condition is not critical to see their family doctor or nurse practitioner, consult their community pharmacist, go to a walk-in clinic or call the Tele-Care service (811). People who nevertheless go to the Emergency Department for non-urgent reasons must be patient and expect unusually long waits.

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