Vitalité Health Network asks public to reduce demand on Emergency Department of Edmundston Regional Hospital

Edmundston, Thursday, December 16, 2021 – The Network is asking the public in the Northwest to limit their visits – except in urgent cases – to the Emergency Department of the Edmundston Regional Hospital.

High demand on Emergency Department

The Emergency Department of the Edmundston Regional Hospital is currently experiencing high demand.  The Network is seeking the public’s collaboration in reserving the available resources for urgent situations so that safe and high-quality care can be delivered.

The facility’s Emergency Department remains open for people who need urgent care and who wish to see a doctor. However, the Network is asking 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 come to Emergency for non-urgent reasons must be patient and expect longer than usual waits. 

Avoid the Emergency Department if you have COVID-19 symptoms

The Network reiterates that people with any symptoms of COVID-19 must not go to the Emergency Department.  “These people must limit their contacts and immediately request a COVID-19 screening test,” explained Sharon Smyth-Okana, Vice-President of Clinical Services.

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