Hamilton Health Sciences to resume non-urgent procedures as COVID-19 hospitalizations trend downward
Published May 20, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) says it will “gradually” resume non-urgent surgeries and procedures that were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was made after the provincial government announced on Wednesday (May 19) that it would be rescinding Directive #2. Under the Apr. 20 directive, Ontario health care providers were told to ramp down non-urgent procedures.
HHS says it will consider multiple factors when greenlighting such procedures, such as the patient’s condition, the implications of delaying care, equity of services, and impact on vulnerable populations.
“Our planning will also take into account the ongoing need for critical care resources, the impact to staffing, and the continued transmission of COVID-19 in our community,” said HHS.
“While this is a positive signal, the pandemic is ongoing.”
HHS added that it continues to experience a high demand for clinical care due to COVID-19.
New cases, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions appear to be trending downward, however. A trend that coincides with the provincial lockdown and the significant uptick of vaccine supply and administration.
HHS says patients will be contacted by their doctor if there are any changes to their plan of care.
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