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.
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. The HealthLine also has a nurse practitioner (NP) virtual care service that can prevent unnecessary emergency room visits for non-emergent issues. Appointments with NPs over the phone or by video are available everyday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., including weekends. Please note that appointments to see the 811 NP can usually be accommodated within three days.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the NL Health Line at 811.
This change in services also impacts inpatient admissions.
Eastern Health thanks the public for their understanding as we continue to remain focused on the safe delivery of care for the people of the Bonavista area.
For the most up-to-date information on temporary service closures in the region, please visit the Eastern Health website at: https://www.easternhealth.ca/prc/service-closures-and-updates/.
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