A nursing shortage is having a significant impact at the Dumont Hospital and all ambulances will be diverted from that facility to the Moncton Hospital this weekend.
In a joint statement, Vitalité and Horizon health authorities say this temporary measure will come into effect on Saturday, May 8 at 8 a.m. and will continue until Monday, May 10 at 8 a.m.
Both emergency departments will remain open for walk-in patients.
“The shortage of nurses has hit us hard and the emergency department at the Dumont is especially affected,” said Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité.
“We now have no other choice but to apply this unpopular, but necessary, decision for the safety of patients and staff.”
“Our emergency department staff and physicians in Moncton have shown great collaboration over the years, and even though we are all struggling to deal with staff shortages, we will continue to support our colleagues at Vitalité,” said Karen McGrath, Horizon’s President and CEO.
“We want to ensure the public that if they do have a medical emergency we will provide them safe and quality care.”
The health authorities are urging Moncton area residents to think about their options for receiving care and keep the ER for emergencies only.
