From Feb. 23 to 28, the hospital has a shortage of general surgeon coverage

The Independent

Bluewater Health is warning people who may need urgent general surgery may be transferred to another hospital starting Saturday.

In a news release, officials said the temporary closure is due to a general surgeon staffing shortage.

It’s the second time this has happened – over the Christmas holiday, the hospital diverted patients requiring acute abdominal surgery, to other hospitals in the region. In the fall of 2024, three of the five surgeons either retired or moved out of the area, putting pressure on the two other surgeons to handle the service, even on weekends. The hospital also brings in locum surgeons who work on an as-needed basis. Over the holidays, that coverage wasn’t available. And officials say they’ll be short coverage again starting Sunday.

Officials say from Feb. 23 to Feb. 28, the operating room will remain open and elective and scheduled surgeries will continue. The emergency room will be assessing all patients, even during the surgeon shortage. “Patients requiring acute abdominal surgical interventions will be assessed in our emergency departments in Sarnia and Petrolia and a determination will be made if a transfer to a partner hospital is required,” said Julie Franchuk, communications for Bluewater Health.

Officials says the hospital is recruiting more general surgeons and is “actively engaged in discussions with potential candidates.”