Chatham-Kent Health Alliance to Reduce Non-Urgent Services Beginning March 19, 2020
CHATHAM-KENT: March 18, 2020 – In accordance with a recent Ministry of Health directive to Ontario hospitals, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is planning a careful, staged “ramping down” of non-urgent, elective/scheduled care and procedures, as well as outpatient clinics. The decision follows the Ministry directive issued on March 15, 2020 to maximize resources and prioritize services in response to COVID-19.
Most of these temporary closures and postponements, which includes non-urgent, elective surgeries and non-urgent services, will be effective at 12:01 am, Thursday, March 19, 2020. Patients will be contacted in advance if their scheduled appointments are affected.
Surgical procedures will be limited to emergency and life-threatening circumstances. Outpatient clinics at the Chatham and Wallaceburg sites will be limited to services related to cancer (i.e. chemotherapy), dialysis, infusion therapy, and fractures. All routine diagnostic tests for conditions that are non-life threatening will be rescheduled. All outpatient rehabilitation services will be temporarily stopped as well. All patients who are affected by these temporary reductions will be contacted.
“We are making difficult decisions every day as the situation evolves,” said Lori Marshall, President and CEO, CKHA. “We know these measures are challenging for our patients, their families as well as our staff and physicians. We appreciate everyone’s support and understanding during this demanding time.”
“We are taking a careful, phased approach to this measure with safety as a first priority, both for our patients, staff members and physicians,” said Dr. Pervez Faruqi, Chief of Staff, CKHA. “It’s crucial we build capacity within our hospital and local health system to ensure we limit the spread of COVID-19.”
In further support of social distancing, the organization is also asking all clinics and physicians in the municipality to explore virtual care as an alternative for their patients.
CKHA will continue to update the community as further decisions are made on reductions in non-urgent services.
-30-
About CKHA
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is a 200 bed community hospital, serving the residents of Chatham and rural Kent including Walpole Island and Delaware First Nations. Formed in 2018, CKHA is committed to delivering quality and safe care at its two sites in Chatham and Wallaceburg. CKHA collaborates with other partners to deliver care across its community. CKHA’s dedicated team is comprised of approximately 1,400 staff, 200 physicians and 300 volunteers. CKHA provides a full range of programs, services and specialties from internal medicine and surgery to women & children’s and critical care; it is designated a schedule one facility under the Ministry of Health and cares for tens of thousands of inpatients, outpatients and emergency patients annually. CKHA is equipped with state of the art diagnostics and technology to support its varied programs. CKHA’s vision: Together, growing a healthier community, underscores a movement to improving the population’s health. Grounded by its values “CKHA CARES” (Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Safety), CKHA commits to continuously improve the patient experience in partnership with patients, families and caregivers. For more information, click here to read CKHA’s Fast Facts.
To arrange a media interview please contact:
Emily Field, Communications Specialist
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
519.352.6401 x 5326
efield@ckha.on.ca
