MEDIA RELEASE: DRHC PLANNING A MEASURED APPROACH TO SERVICE RECOVERY

May 7, 2020

We understand that postponing non-urgent surgeries and elective procedures has been difficult for patients and families.

While we wish we didn't have to do this, it was a difficult but necessary decision based on Ministry of Health direction and on the need to limit the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and reduce occupancy in the hospital to create room for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients.

The hospital will look to reschedule those procedures through a phased-in and evidence-based re-introduction of clinical activities, considering the provincial guidance released May 7, 2020.

Northern Ontario hospitals will be coordinating their efforts to re-introduce clinical activities, being mindful of the need to set aside hospital bed capacity for a potential future surge of COVID-19 cases, the need to ensure adequate supply of PPE, and impacts on other parts of the health system.

As a hospital, we will be going through the provincial guidance and finalizing our plans to re-introduce clinical services. Those plans will be reviewed by a group of Northern Ontario peers later this month. We will then be in a position to confirm a date when rescheduled surgeries and procedures will gradually begin at our hospital.

For further information, please contact:

Doreen Armstrong-Ross
Chief Executive Officer
Dryden Regional Health Centre
Box 3003,
Dryden, Ontario P8N 2Z6
Telephone: (807) 223-8201 Extension 2260

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