'It’s like out of the movies': Doctors treating influx of pediatric patients
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) said they are currently seeing an overwhelming influx of young patients.
“We would normally see 100 to 110 patients a day, that's what our capacity is built for, that's what our staffing is built for. Then two days ago we had 200 patients,” said Dr. Rod Lim, director of the pediatric emergency department at LHSC.
Since October, the children’s emergency department has warned of up to six hours or more in wait times.
Lim said it’s the perfect storm between seeing an increase in viral activity sooner than normal, an overwhelming amount of cases in RSV, influenza and COVID-19, and being short on staff.
“In our department, like a lot of industries, we are working short staffed. It's like out of the movies we are working as hard as we can, as creatively as we can,” said Lim.
He adds, his staff has resorted to treating some patients in hallways and waiting room chairs.
Lim encourages the public to seek alternate professional medical attention like family doctors or walk-in clinics.
If you do plan on attending the emergency department, the hospital suggests bringing water and snacks, a phone charger and a book.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Scottie Scheffler isn't the first pro golfer to be arrested during a tournament
Scottie Scheffler's arrest hours before his second-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky, will go down as one of the most shocking in professional golf history. It certainly wasn't the first, though.
NEW What a wildfire survivor says she regrets not grabbing before leaving home
Carol Christian had 15 minutes to evacuate her home during the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. She ended up losing the house and everything inside. Now, she wants to share the lessons she learned.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta border: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Canadian convicted of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband with a hammer sentenced to 30 years
The man convicted of attempting to kidnap then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and attacking her husband with a hammer was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.
World No. 1 golfer charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round
World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested and charged with the assault of a police officer in what he called a 'chaotic situation' before being released in time to start his second round at the PGA Championship on Friday.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
B.C. optometrist warns against trending eye colour change procedure
A medical procedure that can permanently change a person's eye colour may be trending on social media, but a B.C. optometrist is warning about the significant risks associated.