January 7, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the Emergency Department at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily diverted beginning Friday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m. due to staffing changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Patients in the area who require emergency services are advised to go to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s, or to call 911 for assistance.
Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services such as chemotherapy continue to be available, by appointment, at the community health centre in Whitbourne.
This temporary change to emergency services will assist Eastern Health in maintaining a level of primary health care service at the community health centre in Whitbourne, and emergency services in other areas of the region. We will provide an update on emergency room services once resources are stabilized.
If you are unsure whether you or a loved one should go to the Emergency Department, please call the NL Health Line at 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours, seven days a week. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 709-737-4668 or toll-free 1-888-737-4668.
Eastern Health apologizes for this disruption in services. We continue to be diligent in our management of this pandemic and assure the public that safe, quality patient care remains our top priority. We thank the public for their support and remind them of the importance of continuing to follow public health guidance to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
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