Hospital Overcrowding

Hospital overcrowding continues to be a challenge for South Shore Health. C-E-O Alice Leverman says additional long term care beds will be opening later this fall, 18 in Lunenburg and 12 in New Germany. Leverman says hospital overcrowding causes a lot of concern and frustration for patients and families. They may experience delays in admission, long wait times or transfers to other hospitals for care and surgeries may also be cancelled. She says it also creates a stressful working environment for staff.
A new director of Access and Flow has been put in place . Efforts are also continuing to enhance access to primary care and community based supports that help seniors and others remain independent, healthy and safe in their communities and improve patient flow through the system.