With few exceptions, the head of nursing for Elliot Lake’s St. Joseph's General Hospital, Connie Free, says people should stop coming to hospital emergency for COVID testing.
SJGHEL issued a statement on New Year’s Eve outlining concerns about preserving the integrity of emergency services.
With few exceptions, says Free, people should stop coming to the hospital’s emergency department for COVID testing.
“St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake is asking for the public’s assistance to ensure that the Emergency Department remains available for those requiring acute medical care," Free said in a prepared statement.
“The Emergency Department is becoming overwhelmed with individuals seeking COVID-19 testing who are not requiring acute medical care, who are not high risk, and who have mild or no symptoms."
A release issued Friday said that as of Dec. 31 "COVID-19 testing is only available via the Emergency Department for symptomatic high-risk individuals requiring acute medical care, and those who work in the highest risk settings, as well as vulnerable populations.”
Following is the full statement from St. Joseph's General Hospital:
St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake is asking for the public’s assistance to ensure that the Emergency Department remains available for those requiring acute medical care, says Chief Nursing Executive and Acting CEO Connie Free.
The Emergency Department is becoming overwhelmed with individuals seeking COVID-19 testing who are not requiring acute medical care, who are not high risk, and who have mild or no symptoms. As of Dec. 31, 2021, COVID-19 testing is only available via the Emergency Department for symptomatic high-risk individuals requiring acute medical care, and those who work in the highest risk settings, as well as vulnerable populations.
Members of the general public who have mild symptoms or no symptoms, are not high risk, and do not require immediate medical attention are being asked not to seek COVID-19 testing at the Emergency Department.
Please self-isolate at home and call Public Health for further guidance at 705-759-5404 or 1-866-892-0172 ext. 5404 or contact Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000. Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer for the province of Ontario has advised that PCR testing is only available for individuals for specific symptomatic and high risk groups, which are outlined on the Province of Ontario website.
We ask that you please be kind to our staff as they work to ensure that our Emergency Department remains accessible to those in need of emergency or urgent medical care. For specific inquiries, please contact Bruce M. Beakley at 705-848-7181 ext. 2454.
Connie Free, Chief Nursing Executive, Acting CEO, St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Elliot Lake.