Two GTA hospitals warn of increased ER wait times

Two hospitals in the GTA are warning of increased emergency room wait times and asking people to consider seeking care elsewhere if possible.

Officials at Markham Stouffville Hospital say the ER there, and at Uxbridge Hospital, are experiencing much longer than expected wait times.

Those who need serious medical attention should go to the nearest emergency department, they say, but people are being asked to consider alternative options if their situation is not an emergency, such as walk-in clinics, a family doctor or primary care provider, and Telehealth.

In a statement to CityNews, a spokesperson said Markham Stouffville Hospital had “very high volumes in our Emergency Department with minimal potential to discharge patients from our inpatient units” on Thursday night, meaning there was minimal flow of patients out of that department.

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“Patient and staff safety is our top priority,” the spokesperson continued to write, “Like many hospital across Ontario Oak Valley Health’s, Markham Stouffville Hospital and Uxbridge Hospital Emergency Departments are faced with rapidly changing demands and higher volumes. However, our EDs remain open 24/7 and safe for anyone who needs emergency care.”

The spokesperson said teams are working to maintain a “staffing complement” to ensure patients receive “the safest and highest standard of care possible.”

Recently, emergency departments across the province have had to close their doors for hours, or sometimes for days, saying the reason is due to staffing shortages.