July 30, 2021 – St. John’s, NL: Effective Tuesday, August 3, 2021, Eastern Health will implement a hybrid model of in-person and virtual emergency services for patient care at the Dr. S. Beckley Health Centre in Grand Bank. This is a temporary measure in response to a physician shortage at the facility.
If residents require emergency services they should continue to call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room where they will be seen. Individuals presenting to the Dr. S. Beckley Health Centre may be assessed either in-person or through the virtual emergency room service.
A patient requiring emergency services who presents to the Dr. S. Beckley Health Centre will receive a similar level of care through the virtual emergency room service.
- The patient will be seen and assessed by the local healthcare team.
- The patient will be assessed by a physician virtually and managed with the support of the team present at the hospital.
- As required, patients would be transported to the nearest Category A Hospital – the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre – for further treatment.
Virtual care options have been increasingly used throughout Eastern Health, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as a secure, safe and effective way to provide patient care. Enhancements in virtual care options give patients access to primary-care providers via phone or video appointments. The virtual ER service is a natural extension of this method of care, given ongoing physician recruitment and retention challenges.
Eastern Health is exploring additional options for the provision of emergency room services in the area and continues to be proactive in its efforts to recruit and retain physicians to ensure the provision of safe and sustainable care across the region.
Eastern Health apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks the public for their patience.
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