Wait times in the emergency department at Kemptville District Hospital are being impacted by capacity pressures.
Katie Hogue, Vice President of Nursing/Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive at KDH, says they have seen a consistent increase in the number of emergency room visits over the summer which came to a head over the last two weeks.
The hospital is currently at 139 per cent capacity for inpatients.
Hogue says one of the reasons for the influx is that North Grenville is home to one of the fastest growing populations in eastern Ontario and she adds that, while KDH is building up capacity to keep up with more people moving to town, including a new nurse practitioner-led clinic slated to open in early 2027, it takes time for that to happen.
Hogue tells the Vista Radio Newsroom that they are encouraging people to put their health first and access care through their primary care providers or alternative options if they can.
“Keep themselves well, stay home if they’re sick, wash their hands. See their primary care provider early on if they do feel unwell to avoid that emergency room visit.”
Hogue stresses that those who find themselves needing to come to the emergency department should still do so.
She adds that the situation isn’t unique to Kemptville as other hospitals in the region are also experiencing it.
