Emergency department closures becoming common across the province

Health authorities across the province have been forced to close emergency departments recently due to a lack of staff or no physicians resulting in virtual emergency services and diversions of emergencies to nearby hospitals and health centres.

From June 1 to July 5 there have been over 30 closures in Newfoundland.

In the Western Health region, there have been physician shortages at the Rufus Guinchard Health Centre in Port Saunders and the Bonne Bay Health Centre.

Central Health has had to close emergency rooms a total of 21 times due to staffing issues.

Eastern Health has had to close emergency departments a total of seven times.