Middlesex Hospital Alliance Updates
An Important Message About Wait Times in our Emergency Departments at SMGH and FCHS:
Staffing challenges, inpatient overcapacity and very busy Emergency Departments (ED) are resulting in higher than usual wait times for patients visiting the Emergency Department at both SMGH and FCHS.Ā Please be prepared to wait longer than usual.
If your needs are non-urgent, please consider other health system supports, such as your primary care providerās office, an urgent care centre or Health Connect Ontario (former Telehealth Ontario).
Please be aware that hospitals are considered a high risk setting. Infection control precautions are in place and will be enforced. This includes screening, distancing and masking. Proof of vaccination is no longer required for care partners.
Active Screening for COVID-19 symptoms and exposures is required for all individuals entering the facility.
If you are a patient with symptoms or a Covid exposure, please check with the department to see if your appointment should be rescheduled. Care partners with symptoms or Covid exposure will only be allowed under exceptional circumstances.
Masking in healthcare settings is a strategy to reduce infection transmission. Masking can be used as source control (to protect others) or as personal protective equipment to protect the wearer.Ā A mask or proof of mask exemption is required to attend at all sites of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance
You will not be allowed into any MHA Hospital Site to visit or provide assistance for your loved one if you refuse to wear a mask. You will not be allowed to attend any scheduled procedures if you refuse to wear a mask.
Facial protection that adequately covers the nose and mouth is required by everyone entering the building. If you choose not to wear facial protection, your elective outpatient appointment will be rescheduled or cancelled.
Patients and their essential care partners will be expected to comply.
You do not need to wear a mask if you:
- have a medical condition that inhibits your ability to wear a face covering
- are unable to put on or remove your face covering without help from someone else
- are receiving accommodations according to theĀ Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005Ā or theĀ Human Rights Code
You do need
- An exemption letter from a physician registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- To complete hand hygiene and wear a shield if possible
If you have a special circumstance, please reach out to MHA Patients Relations by telephone at 519 245ā5295 ext. 5594 or email at patientrelations@mha.tvh.ca.
Local Covid Assessment Centres are :
- Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre
- 656 Elizabeth St. London N5Y 6L3
- Mon ā Fri. 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
- Chatham āKent Health Alliance
- 10 Grand Ave West
- Chatham N7L 1B5
- Mon- Sun 9:00 am ā 5:00 pm.
- Bluewater Health Sarnia
- 153 Christina St. S
- Sarnia N7T 2M9
- Mon- Thurs 4:00 ā 8:00 pm
- Saturday 9:00- 2:00 pm.
Our Family/ Essential Care Partner Guidelines are adjusted frequently in response to local Covid activity. Ā Full details can be found on ourĀ visiting a patient section. Please review before coming to visit one of our Middlesex Hospital Alliance sites.Ā
