Added pressures on the Emergency Department at the Ross Memorial Hospital are expected over the holiday season which may impact on ER wait times for patients. As a courtesy, hospital staff would like people to be aware of that possibility. 

Often patients will hold off seeking medical treatment until after Christmas so they can spend it with their families. With doctors’ offices closed over the holidays, this makes for increased traffic in the Emergency Department just after Christmas.

A further complication will be the reduced holiday hours in the local After Hours Clinics. The Ross Memorial Hospital’s After Hours Clinic will be closed from Sunday December 23rd to Tuesday January 1st. The After Hours Clinic in the Lindsay Professionals Building at 65 Angeline Street North will be open over the holidays, but with reduced hours. (Dec. 24th 10am-12pm, Dec. 27th 7pm-9pm, Dec. 29th 10am-12pm, Dec. 30th 9am-12pm, Dec. 31st 10am-12pm)

For just over a week, the hospital has had an increased number of patients requiring isolation. This translates into fewer available beds on the fourth floor and can result in more patients being cared for in the Emergency Department until an inpatient bed becomes available.

If you or your family member must come to the Emergency Department over the holidays, please prepare for the possibility of a longer wait. The hospital staff appreciates your patience at this very busy time.