Service Resumption

Beginning Monday, June 1, SBGHC will begin the gradual reintroduction of all deferred, non-essential and elective services. On May 26, 2020, Directive #2 was amended by the province to allow the gradual restart of health services across the province.

The first phase will begin on Monday, June 1 with the following:

• Resumption of high priority surgeries and procedures, starting at 25% capacity and gradually increasing over the coming months. Patients waiting for surgery will hear directly from their physicians’/surgeons’ office.
• Diagnostic Imaging tests will resume at 50% capacity, with appointments being prioritized by urgency.
• Community Lab Collections will begin operating by appointment at SBGHC’s Kincardine and Walkerton sites to ensure proper physical distancing for patients.
• The Acute Care Units at all four sites will manage both respiratory and non-respiratory patients – there will no longer be “COVID/respiratory designated” sites.

Community Lab Collections at SBGHC’s Chesley and Durham sites are scheduled to resume service on June 15, also by appointment.

Phases 2-4 will gradually increase capacity, depending on potential future outbreaks.

All patients will be asked to respect physical distancing requirements while in hospital to reduce the risk of illness. To support physical distancing, hospital visitors will be prohibited until further notice (exceptions will continue for special circumstances).

SBGHC is also strongly encouraging all individuals coming into the hospital to bring their own face covering/mask. These can be homemade masks or face coverings such as a scarf or buff, or commercially purchased items. Anyone who arrives in hospital without a mask will be given a disposable mask.

Please check this information regularly for updates.