Elective surgeries at the Western Memorial Regional Hospital will be cancelled effective today.
Western Health will provide surgical services to patients only on an emergency basis. This change is necessary as a result of an increasing need for acute care services to meet the needs of patients with influenza like illness.
All individuals scheduled for elective surgery will be contacted to advise them of this cancellation. Patients' needs for emergency, inpatient acute care and intensive care will be monitored.
Additionally, Western Health will continue to work with patients, staff and physicians to ensure that all patients who may be safely discharged will be released from hospital.
Visitation restrictions are in place at the following Western Health facilities: Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville, Corner Brook Interfaith Home, Bonne Bay Health Centre and
Dr. Charles LeGrow Health Centre in Port aux Basques.
A visitation ban is in place due to a number of visitors and patients presenting to the hospital with flu like symptoms.
Limited exceptions for visitation may be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the nursing unit directly for instructions on how to proceed. Children under 14 years of age should not visit within the hospital during this ban.
People who have any influenza like symptoms including cough, fever, runny nose, headache, are asked to refrain from visiting any of Western Health's facilities. Individuals with any of these symptoms should rest at home, drink fluids, and practice proper hand washing with water and soap, and if the symptoms persist, contact their physician.
If people have questions or concerns please call 1-877-632-H1N1 (4161).
