Chesley ER closes temporarily due to staff shortages

The Chesley site of South Bruce Grey Health Center (SBGHC) like many other rural Emergency Departments (ER) in rural communities throughout Ontario is being forced to temporarily close during weekends.

The closures are due to a number of unexpected staff absences and all efforts to find staffing for the ER have been unsuccessful.  Therefore, the closures at the Chesley site are as follows:

  • Saturday, July 9th at 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM
  • Sunday, July 10th Sunday, July 10th at 5:00 PM to 7:00 AM
  • Monday, July 11th

Anyone requiring immediate medical attention should call 911 to be taken to the nearest Emergency Department.

For non-urgent health care needs, Health Connect Ontario is available 24/7 for non-emergency health-related questions by calling 811.

The closest Emergency Departments to the Chesley Hospital are:

Hanover (19km)             Walkerton (25km)
Owen Sound (46km)       Kincardine (60km)
Mount Forest (60km)      Palmerston (60km)
Durham (36km)             Southampton (42km)
Markdale (44km)

The SBGHC staff says that it appreciates the patience and understanding of the community as it continues to experience significant staffing pressures. “This is a temporary measure, and we regret that this step has to be taken. SBGHC had identified that there was a risk of a future, time limited reduction in service when the Chesley Emergency Department was reopened last month if the health human resource (HHR) situation deteriorated further.”