Campbellford Memorial Hospital continues to struggle as it deals with high patient volumes and staff shortages, making the need for a new facility even more apparent.
Over these past few months, more than 50 people a day have been seeking care in Campbellford’s Emergency Department, peaking at more than 70 people one day over the May long weekend.
Officials say that may seem like a small number compared to larger hospitals, but for the 34-bed rural hospital it represents a more than 25% increase.
Chief of the Emergency Department Dr. Eshay Elia says while a few busy days, especially on long weekends and during the summer, are nothing new, what is different is that they now happen almost every day.
Admissions at CMH are also high – at one point last week the inpatient unit was operating at 141% capacity.
It’s led the hospital to repurpose areas like temporarily turning the day surgery unit into patient rooms.
And with the facility being so small, even just one missing healthcare worker can equal a staff reduction of 30%.
Hospital CEO Eric Hanna says not only would a new, state of the art facility help attract more top tier talent, but it would also greatly improve patient care.
CMH has applied for a Capital Planning Grant to redevelop the hospital as part of a Campus of Care co-located with a new Long Term Care facility.
Over time, the site would be expanded to include supportive senior housing, primary care, and community mental health services.
Hanna says, “We know what we want to do, we just need the Government to approve it.”
