AHI and TDMH Suspending All Elective and Non-Essential Services at Both Hospitals

Thursday, 6 January 2022 13:05

Starting on Monday and until further notice the hospitals will also suspend all nonessential hospital based services and programs.

TILLSONBURG/INGERSOLL - The hospitals in Tillsonburg and Ingersoll are taking further measures due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Today both AHI and TDMH announced they will suspend all elective and non-essential services at both hospitals. This includes surgeries, out-patient and ambulatory clinics.

Starting on Monday January 10, and until further notice the hospitals will also suspend all nonessential hospital based services and programs. Chief Nursing Executive Cheryl Pfaff says the hospitals have started taking steps to communicate these changes to patients.

“Patients affected by this change are being contacted. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and appreciate the impact this is having. If patients are uncertain if their appointment is canceled we ask that you contact the hospital. The measures we are announcing today were directed by the Minister of Health and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and are intended to protect healthcare providers, patients and the public, and most importantly, to manage what we expect may be tremendous demand on the system from spread of the virus.”

Interim President and CEO Mike Bastow explains why these measures are necessary.

“The Omicron Variant is unlike anything we have seen before during this pandemic and we must respond quickly. We recognize the impact this decision may have on our patients and community. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience as we work through this rapidly changing situation. Our number one priority is the safety of our patients, staff and physicians as well as the health of our communities. We appreciate everyone working together as we strive to flatten the curve.”

Pfaff says these moves are being done out of an abundance of caution.

“We are suspending the outlined services out of an abundance of caution, and we all look forward to getting back to normal as the pandemic subsides.”

You should only go to the hospital if your symptoms are severe or a health professional has advised you to do so. AHI and TDMH will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and adapt as necessary to provide a safe environment for our patients, staff, physicians and community.