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August 1st, 2008: KDH narrowly avoids closure of ER
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
August 1, 2008
For Immediate Release – August 1, 2008
Kemptville, ON, August 4, 2008 - Community-minded physicians stepped forward to fill urgent vacancies in the ER this week, so Kemptville District Hospital could remain open for emergencies. Hospitals across Ontario are at continual risk of not having physicians for shifts over the summer. A 'perfect storm' of summer vacations, family commitments and province-wide doctor shortages brought that risk home to Kemptville District this week. Two shifts at KDH's Emergency Department remained vacant with less than a week to go. Administrators and ER Chief Dr Leonard put great effort in to fill the void. One physician, Dr Jonathan Rathwell, agreed to work an extra shift, in spite of his busy week. "Dr. Rathwell is typical of community-minded physicians here," said Colin Goodfellow, CEO at KDH. "The new GPs are maintaining the tradition established by longer-tenured physicians, like our ER Chief Dr Leonard and Dr Evans. We are very fortunate to have them"
The lack of ER physicians across the province is felt most during summer holidays. Other factors are at play, however. Tom Closson, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association, blames physician-funding systems which prompt more physicians to work in community-based settings rather than hospitals. The physician community is changing as well. The average age of physicians (51.7 years) is rising, and a younger generation of physicians is working fewer hours.
Last year the Hospital came close to issuing a possible ER closure notice twice. This week was the first time in 2008. Unlike other hospitals KDH has never had an ER closure. "We are working on a few spots later in August, but aside from that, our ER schedule is solid right through to Christmas," said Goodfellow. "A good number of our local GPs also work in the Emergency Department. They understand its importance to the community." Kemptville District Hospital expects 16,000 to 17,000 emergency cases this year. Patients come from communities ranging from Manotick and South Barhaven in the north to Prescott and Spencerville in the south
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For more information, please contact:
Colin Goodfellow
CEO, Kemptville District Hospital
Tel: 613-258-6133 x 132
cgoodfellow@kdh.on.ca