Children's Hospital, LHSC warn of long ER wait times
A desperate warning from the Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre.
The hospital is asking families to play safe this summer in order to avoid any further stress on its emergency department.
As a parent of a four-year-old, mother Michelle Ashton knows all too well that accidents can happen when you least expect.
“She definitely likes to play,” said Ashton. “She’s pretty coordinated, but yes, accidents do happen.”
Ashton is hoping to avoid anything serious enough to land young Hannah in the emergency department, especially in light of an announcement from LHSC.
Mother Michelle Ashton plays with daughter, four-year-old Hannah at Gibbons Park in London, Ont. on July 4, 2022. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)In a media release, Dr. Rod Lim, director of paediatric emergency care at LHSC said, “The ED [emergency department] is currently experiencing high volumes, which is causing longer than normal wait times.”
He went on to say “with summer vacation here, and kids being outside and more active, we recognize there is potential for increased injury. As much as possible, we want everyone to have a safe summer and avoid any unwanted trips to the ED.”
Children’s Hospital is just the latest of several health centres in the region to warn of delays in emergency departments. Staff shortages and burnout have been made worse by the pandemic, according to the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA).
ONA President Cathryn Hoy said many health professionals are retiring or leaving the profession, leaving many hospital positions unfilled.
“So when they actually speak out and say ‘we need you to help us, only come if needed,’ you know we’re in trouble,” explained Hoy. “They are grossly, grossly understaffed,” she added.
Children’s Hospital listed the top five current reasons for ED visits at Children’s Hospital:
- Injuries to the head
- General infection concerns
- Acute upper respiratory infections
- Injuries to the elbow/forearm
- Digestive/abdomen
As for Ashton, she said she understands how hard nurses and other health professionals at Children’s Hospital are working, and she’s hoping to get through the summer without needing their help.
“Just try not to go when you don’t need to, but yeah, it’s definitely concerning if you’re having to wait a long time with an injured child,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.