The Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance (LWHA) says that the emergency departments in Listowel and Wingham helped over 25,000 patients over the last year.
Now, the LWHA is launching a public information campaign aimed at helping patients and families better understand "how Emergency Department care is prioritized, what can affect wait times and where other healthcare services are available across the region," a statement from the LWHA read.
Both hospital sites in Listowel and Wingham use a standardized triage process. Each patient is assessed when they arrive and is prioritized according to the seriousness of their condition, rather than solely by their order of arrival. Patients suffering severe or life-threatening injuries or conditions are seen first.
Additionally, the LWHA points out that "Emergency Departments remain the right place for serious injuries, severe symptoms and potentially life-threatening conditions." However, other medical concerns that are less serious can be addressed elsewhere, like a family doctor.
Residents who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner can book an appointment through the Huron Perth and Area Ontario Health Team Unattached Care Clinic.
The new information initiative includes educational posters in Emergency Department waiting areas, a dedicated webpage explaining triage, wait times and available care options and resources to support clear and consistent communication by staff.
At Listowel Memorial Hospital, patients waited an average of approximately two hours for an initial physician assessment, while patients who were treated and discharged completed their Emergency Department visit in an average of approximately 3.4 hours. At Wingham and District Hospital, the average time to an initial physician assessment was approximately one hour, while patients who were treated and discharged completed their visit in an average of approximately 2.5 hours.
"These results reflect the skill, dedication and teamwork of our physicians, nurses and support teams, who provide emergency care to thousands of patients every year," said Esther Millar, President and CEO of LWHA. "We are proud of the care being delivered at both of our hospitals, while also recognizing that waiting can be difficult and that patients deserve clear information about what is happening during their visit."
Residents who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner can book an appointment through the Huron Perth and Area Ontario Health Team Unattached Care Clinic. Appointments and additional information are available at: https://hpaoht.ca/ucc/
More information is available at: https://lwha.ca/care/emergency/.
You can also find out more at https://hpaoht.ca/know-your-options/.
"Emergency care is not delivered on a first-come, first-served basis," noted Justine Leslie, Vice President, Clinical Services and Quality at LWHA. "Our teams continually assess patients and respond first to those with the most urgent medical needs. At the same time, we know that communication matters, and this initiative is intended to help patients better understand what to expect while they are in our care. Helping residents understand their options can make it easier for them to access the right care in the right place. It also helps preserve Emergency Department capacity for people who are seriously ill or injured."
