Public Service Announcements

Visitor Restrictions in Place at U.S. Memorial Health Centre

December 27, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that visitation is temporarily restricted at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence due to cases of COVID-19 among residents.

Palliative care and end-of-life visitation should be discussed with the health-care team. Immediate family members may contact their assigned unit or the site at 709-873-4226 for further information. LEARN MORE “Visitor Restrictions in Place at U.S. Memorial Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

December 22, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from: 

Monday, December 26, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.  LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre ”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

December 22, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from: 

Monday, December 26, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 9, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.  LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Redirection of Walk-in Services at Waterford Hospital Psychiatric Assessment Unit to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital

December 22, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency walk-in services normally available at the Psychiatric Assessment Unit (PAU) at the Waterford Hospital will be temporarily redirected to the emergency department at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital from Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. to Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

As there will be no walk-in service available at the PAU during this time, patients are advised to present to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital where initial assessments will be available. Following initial assessment, patients may still be transferred to the PAU for psychiatric consultation, as needed. LEARN MORE “Temporary Redirection of Walk-in Services at Waterford Hospital Psychiatric Assessment Unit to St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital”



Public Service Announcements

Holiday Hours for Some Eastern Health Clinics and Services

December 22, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that regular hours for some services and walk-in clinics may change due to statutory holidays between Saturday, December 24, 2022, and Tuesday, January 2, 2023.

Community Walk-In Clinic (50 Mundy Pond Road, St. John’s)
• Saturday, December 24, 2022: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 25 and Monday, December 26, 2022: Closed
• Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30, 2022: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, December 31, 2022: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, January 1, 2023: Closed
• Monday, January 2, 2023: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Dr. G. B. Cross Walk-in Clinic (Clarenville)
• Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25, 2022: Closed
• Saturday, December 31, 2022 and Sunday, January 1, 2023: Closed

Doorways Walk-in Clinic (80 Charter Avenue, St. John’s)
• Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27, 2022: Closed
• Thursday, December 29, 2022: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Monday, January 2, 2023: Closed

Breastfeeding Support Groups
• The holiday schedule can be found on the Eastern Health website: https://hi.easternhealth.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/12/Holiday-BFSG-Schedule-2022.23.pdf. LEARN MORE “Holiday Hours for Some Eastern Health Clinics and Services”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

December 19, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of temporary changes to emergency services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre due to current human resource challenges. The temporary changes are as follows:

Date Service Availability/Hours
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 NP/Virtual ER starting 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 22, 2022 NP/Virtual ER
Friday, December 23, 2022 NP/Virtual ER until 8:00 p.m.

ER CLOSED starting 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 24- Wednesday, December 28, 2022 ER CLOSED
Thursday, December 29, 2022 ER CLOSED until 8:00 a.m.

NP/Virtual ER starting 8:00 a.m.

Friday, December 30, 2022 NP/Virtual ER
Saturday, December 31, 2022 NP/Virtual ER until 8:00 a.m.

ER CLOSED starting 8:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 1, 2023 ER CLOSED
Monday, January 2, 2023 OPEN starting 8:00 a.m.

During a NP/virtual ER, the emergency department will be staffed by a nurse practitioner, supported by a physician who will be available virtually. Patients are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary.

During full closures, patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department at Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre

December 19, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre on Bell Island will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closures will take place on:

Saturday, December 24, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. to Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 8:00 a.m.

Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, January 2, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 for transportation to a city hospital. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to an Emergency Department in St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. Walter Templeman Health Care Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Closure of COVID-19 PCR Drive-Through Testing Clinics

December 19, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that COVID-19 public testing clinics will no longer be set up throughout the province. This includes clinics located across the region in Burin, Clarenville, Harbour Grace and St. John’s. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now available to the public and are recommended for use. LEARN MORE “Closure of COVID-19 PCR Drive-Through Testing Clinics”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

December 16, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 19 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 26 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

December 16, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 19, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 26, at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand.

Patients requiring emergency services during the closures should call 911 or proceed to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre or the Dr. S. Beckley Clinic in Grand Bank if they feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



News Releases

Eastern Health Completes First Outpatient Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries  

December 16, 2022 – St. John’s, NL:  Eastern Health announced that it has started to complete hip and knee replacement surgery on an outpatient basis this week. This new, innovative approach to managing surgical waitlists for hip and knee joint replacement surgeries helps to reduce wait times and improve access to care for patients who are clinically eligible for this surgical approach. LEARN MORE “Eastern Health Completes First Outpatient Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries  “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

December 16, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place on:

Saturday, December 17, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 19, at 8:00 a.m.

Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911. Those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department at Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Change in Hours of Operation Today at Community Walk-In Clinic at Mundy Pond

December 12, 2022 – St. John’s, NL:  Eastern Health advises the public that the Community Walk-In Clinic, located at 50 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John’s, will be closing today at 4:00 p.m., as opposed to 7:30 p.m. The clinic will re-open tomorrow, Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. LEARN MORE “Change in Hours of Operation Today at Community Walk-In Clinic at Mundy Pond”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre 

December 9, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of a temporary change in services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre effective:

Monday, December 12 at 8:00 a.m. to Tuesday, December 13 at 8:00 a.m. 

During this time, the emergency department will be staffed by a nurse practitioner, supported by a physician who will be available virtually. Patients are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre 

 December 9, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 12, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 19, at 8:00 a.m.

While emergency services are closed, primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments) will still be available. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre “



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

December 9, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 12 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 19 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne. Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Eastern Health Provides Update on Privacy Breach

December 8, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health is providing an update on the privacy breach as a result of the October 2021 cyber-attack that impacted health-care information technology (IT) systems across the province.

In November 2021, Eastern Health first notified the public of a breach of some personal information and personal health information. As the investigation continued and subsequent updates were provided, Eastern Health advised in March 2022 that further patient health and employee information was taken by an unauthorized party.

At that time, the public was informed that this breach included a network drive containing over 200,000 files and that a review was being undertaken to determine the number of files containing personal health or personal information. The review of the network drive is now complete and indicates that approximately 20,000 of these files require notification for approximately 31,500 affected individuals. The majority of those impacted are patients, while approximately 280 are staff or former staff members. LEARN MORE “Eastern Health Provides Update on Privacy Breach”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Public Parking at Health Sciences Centre

December 7, 2022 – St. John’s, NL:  Eastern Health advises the public of temporary changes to public parking at the Health Sciences Complex due to the construction for the recently announced emergency expansion project.  These changes will be effective as of Monday, December 12, 2022.

Public parking, previously available in the lower half of the large lot in front of the Health Sciences Centre (located on the left of the entrance on Clinch Crescent), will now be available across the street to the left of the helipad. The public can access this parking lot using the entrance to the right of the helipad on Clinch Crescent. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Public Parking at Health Sciences Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Community Walk-In Clinic in St. John’s Dedicates Some Appointments for Pediatric Illness

December 6, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that it is dedicating a number of appointments at the community walk-in clinic at 50 Mundy Pond Rd, St. John’s, specifically for children in response to the increase in pediatric respiratory illness.

Any children who are assessed at the walk-in clinic as having symptoms of respiratory illness will be treated on a priority basis. Eastern Health will monitor community need daily and every effort will be made to accommodate patients who present to the clinic, although appointment numbers will be limited based on the number of available providers. LEARN MORE “Community Walk-In Clinic in St. John’s Dedicates Some Appointments for Pediatric Illness”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre

December 5, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of a temporary change in services at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre effective:

Monday, December 5 at 8:00 a.m. to Wednesday, December 7 at 8:00 a.m.

During this time, the emergency department will be staffed by a nurse practitioner, supported by a physician who will be available virtually. Patients are advised to proceed to the emergency department at the Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre where they will be assessed and transferred to another hospital, if necessary. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Services at Bonavista Peninsula Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne

December 2, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that the emergency services at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 5 at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 12 at 8:00 a.m.

Family practice clinics, outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services continue to be available, by appointment, at the Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne. Patients with a medical emergency who require an ambulance should call 911 and those who feel they have a serious or urgent medical problem should proceed to the nearest open emergency department in Carbonear, Placentia or St. John’s. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at Dr. William H. Newhook Community Health Centre in Whitbourne”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre

December 2, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public that emergency services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre in St. Lawrence will be temporarily closed due to current human resource challenges. The temporary closure will take place from:

Monday, December 5, at 8:00 a.m. to Monday, December 12, at 8:00 a.m.

The closure of emergency services will allow staff and physicians to focus on primary health care (i.e. family practice clinic appointments). Additional appointments have been added at the family practice clinic for the coming week to meet the increased demand. To make an appointment for the family practice clinic (including evening virtual appointments), outpatient laboratory services and ambulatory treatment services, individuals may call 709-873-2330. LEARN MORE “Temporary Closure of Emergency Services at U.S. Memorial Health Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Temporary Changes to Services at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre

December 2, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of temporary changes to services for the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, effective Monday, December 5, 2022. At this time, some routine surgeries and appointments are being cancelled. Patients will be contacted directly if their surgery/appointment is impacted and will be rescheduled for a later date.

These changes are due to an increase in pediatric presentations to the emergency department and admissions due to respiratory illnesses. Eastern Health staff and physicians continue to meet demand, by mobilizing additional human resources, waiting areas and treatment spaces, to help support the emergency department and in-patient units. LEARN MORE “Temporary Changes to Services at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre”



Public Service Announcements

Eastern Health’s Paramedicine and Medical Transport Team’s Annual Pack the Back Toy, Food and Clothes Drive Continues this Weekend 

December 2, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health’s Paramedicine and Medical Transport team is asking the public to help pack the backs of ambulances with toys, food, and clothing to help families in need this Holiday Season. Gifts will be donated to the Salvation Army for distribution to families throughout the region.

The 12th annual Pack the Back drive for toys, food, and clothing drive continues this Saturday, December 3, 2022. Donations will be collected at the following Walmart store locations:

Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • Kelsey Drive, St. John’s
  • Columbus Drive, Carbonear

For those who can donate to help families in need this Holiday Season, we thank you for your generosity.

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Public Service Announcements

Changes to Traffic Flow at Health Sciences Complex

December 1, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises the public of permanent changes to facilitate the flow of traffic in front of the Health Sciences Centre main and emergency department entrances, the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Centre entrance and the Molecular Imaging Facility entrance. These measures are necessary to facilitate construction work for the recently announced emergency expansion project and help assist with patient and visitor drop off. These changes will be in effect on Saturday, December 3, 2022. LEARN MORE “Changes to Traffic Flow at Health Sciences Complex”