Critical shortage of ER doctors in North Bay
The North Bay Regional Health Centre said Friday that a critical shortage of emergency room doctors means longer wait times for less urgent cases.
As a result, the hospital has issued an emergency department critical physician staffing notice.
“The health centre is experiencing a critical shortage of … physicians and currently our physician compliment is approximately half what would be required for normal operations of the department,” officials said in a news release Friday.
“Hospitals across the province are facing similar … physician shortages. Patients seeking non-urgent care can expect to experience excessively long wait times.”
Patients who arrive at the emergency department with the most urgent needs will seen first.
“Patients who come in with an issue that is not urgent will be triaged accordingly,” officials said.
“We know that waiting when feeling unwell can be stressful and frustrating. We ask our community to respect that our team is under incredible stress, and have been experiencing high levels of verbal abuse, which cannot be tolerated. Help us create a safe environment for our team as they provide care.”
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
- Want more local news? Check out the North Bay page
Options to access care other than going to the hospital include walk-in clinics, family doctors, virtual walk-in clinics, Health Connect Ontario (available 24/7 at 811) and the mental health crisis line at 1-800-352-1141.
Pharmacists in Ontario can now assess for 13 minor illnesses or conditions (urinary tract infection, cold sore, pink eye, tick bites, skin rashes), the hospital said.
This comes following an announcement in July that emergency department delays in North Bay could extend beyond the summer months.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives launch marathon voting session over Liberals' refusal to scrap carbon tax
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have launched what could become an overnight marathon voting session in the House of Commons, after signalling they'd be making good on their threat to delay the government's agenda over their opposition to the carbon tax.
Canada doubling cost-of-living requirement for international students
Canada will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on Jan. 1, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced today.
Flight safety in Canada is plummeting, a confidential UN agency report finds
A draft report from a United Nations agency gives Canada a C grade on flight safety and oversight, down from an A+ and far below most of its peers.
Two charged with murder of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and partner in Dominica
The director of public prosecutions in the Caribbean nation of Dominica has confirmed that two men have been charged in the death of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and his partner.
'The Brick' is at the centre of our galaxy. An unexpected new finding may help unlock its mysteries
A box-shaped cloud of opaque dust that lies at the centre of our galaxy has long perplexed scientists, and observations that reveal a new detail about its composition are deepening the mystery — possibly upending what’s known about how stars form.
Russian girl shoots several classmates, leaving 1 dead, before killing herself
A Russian girl shot several classmates at school Thursday, killing one person and wounding five others before killing herself, state news agencies and authorities said.
Amid concern over Canadians going hungry, Conservatives criticized for voting against school food bill
As Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre continues to voice concern over the increase in food bank usage, his party is being criticized by some for voting against a private member's bill that would advance a framework for a national school food program.
Canada being hit by 3 separate storm systems: Here's where
Winter weather is underway in parts of Canada with three storm systems bringing messy conditions from B.C. to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Judge rules in favour of NBA star, nullifies purchase of $8M Burlington mansion once occupied by 'crypto king'
A judge has ruled in favour of NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in his lawsuit against a company that sold him a Burlington mansion previously occupied by self-proclaimed ‘crypto king’ Aiden Pleterski.
Barrie
-
3 suspects wanted after home invasion in Barrie neighbourhood
Police hope to identify a suspect wanted in connection with a break-in at a house in Barrie.
-
OPP bust jail guard in Penetanguishene for bringing contraband into correctional centre
A guard at the superjail in Penetanguishene faces several charges for allegedly bringing contraband items into the correctional facility.
-
Barrie man charged with assault after alleged altercation with City Hall security guard
A Barrie man has been charged after a City Hall security guard was left injured while trying to escort the man out of the building.
Toronto
-
'We're clearly in a wave': Ontario's COVID-19 wastewater signal is more than double what it was at this time last year
COVID-19 viral activity in Ontario as measured by the province’s wastewater signal is now more than double what it was at this time last year and health officials are raising concerns about what could be a challenging few weeks heading into the holidays.
-
New concert venue slated to open in the GTA this spring
A new concert venue is coming to northern Toronto next summer. Here's what you need to know.
-
Pedestrian struck and killed by garbage truck in St. Clair West Village
Police say a pedestrian was struck and killed by the driver of a garbage truck in the city's St. Clair West Village Thursday afternoon.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police board settles with family over officer who accessed dead child's vaccine records
The Ottawa Police Services Board has settled a case involving a police officer who was accused of invading a deceased child's vaccination status.
-
Driver in critical, life-threatening condition after crash in southwest Ottawa
A person is in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash in Ottawa on Thursday afternoon.
-
Man allegedly threatens OC Transpo passenger with knife at Tunney's Pasture station
The Ottawa Police Service is looking for a man who allegedly threatened an OC Transpo passenger with a knife at Tunney's Pasture station early Thursday morning.
Kitchener
-
Ont. woman pleads guilty to defrauding doulas
A Brantford, Ont. woman who faked being pregnant to defraud doulas and obtain care under false pretences has pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including fraud, mischief and committing indecent acts.
-
Renowned scholar, with ties to Waterloo, Ont. university, reportedly killed with his family in Gaza
Sofyan Taya, a former guest scholar at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike near Gaza City. His friend and former colleague called him a brilliant and gentle soul.
-
Local OHL players prepare for IIHF World Junior Championship
The IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship is just around the corner - an exciting time for hockey fans across Canada.
London
-
Worker dies due to fall in Zorra Township, Ministry of Labour investigating
Oxford County OPP are investigating a fatal workplace accident that happened Thursday morning on 15th Line in Zorra Township.
-
Quality of life continues to decline, according to Londoners
There’s no sugar coating the results of an annual survey of Londoners conducted on behalf of city hall. According to telephone interviews, more and more report their “quality of life” has declined.
-
Public meeting to gauge input on planned $2M upgrade to Harris Park
A public meeting was held Thursday afternoon at Museum London regarding upgrades planned for Harris Park in the summer of 2024.
Windsor
-
Fire breaks out at south Windsor home
Windsor fire officials say a house fire in the city’s south end is under control.
-
Complaints around neighbourhood lights show may dim Kingsville family tradition
The size of a holiday lightshow is being put to the test as Kingsville administration puts together a report regarding extreme holiday shows like the one hosted by Colton Williams in Kingsville.
-
'Food inflation is too high': Bank of Canada official talks inflation during Windsor visit
A senior Bank of Canada official was in Windsor-Essex on Thursday — one day after the Bank of Canada maintained its key interest rate target steady at five per cent.
Montreal
-
Two charged with murder of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and partner in Dominica
The director of public prosecutions in the Caribbean nation of Dominica has confirmed that two men have been charged in the death of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and his partner.
-
Union negotiations: Legault 'very open on monetary issues'
While Premier François Legault says he's 'very open on monetary issues' in exchange for more flexibility on the part of unions in managing public services, the Common Front counters that 'their flexibility means ripping pages out of our collective agreements.'
-
HIV diagnoses hit 10-year high in Montreal, cases more than double between 2021-22
Public health officials say they recorded in 2022 the highest number of new HIV diagnoses in 10 years in the city of Montreal and its on-island suburbs. Data shared last week shows the number of new reported HIV cases more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, to 310 from 141.
Atlantic
-
Here's how much more it's expected to cost to feed a family of 4 in Canada next year
A new report by more than 30 researchers is estimating how much food will cost in 2024 and how much money it will take to feed families.
-
4 people arrested after report of ‘armed peoples’ entering a Saint John home: police
The Saint John Police Force says four people have been arrested for weapons offences, after a report of “armed peoples” entering a home in the city.
-
Despite uncertainty, Moncton prepares to light its Menorah Thursday night
The annual Menorah lighting will take place at Moncton’s City Hall Thursday night at 5:45 and organizers are expecting a large crowd following this weeks support.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police charge basketball referee with sexual assault
A basketball referee is facing sexual assault charges after Winnipeg police say two victims have come forward.
-
These Manitoba communities broke heat records Wednesday
A number of southern Manitoba cities, towns and communities broke heat records on Wednesday, with above-seasonal temperatures expected to continue for the next few days.
-
Four charged following stabbing death on Main Street: Winnipeg police
Four people have been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of a 36-year-old man one week ago.
Calgary
-
Witnesses lifted car off of girl, 2, who was trapped after N.E. Calgary crash
Some quick thinking from witnesses of a crash in northeast Calgary on Wednesday helped rescue a two-year-old girl who was trapped under a vehicle.
-
'Pseudoscience': Alberta's health minister under fire for naturopathic medicine meeting
Alberta's health minister is facing pushback after taking a meeting focused on naturopathic medicine's role in the province's primary care.
-
Moose family doesn't seem to want to leave Alberta town
Taber police are working with Fish and Wildlife officers to relocate a family of moose that has seemingly taken up residence in the southern Alberta town.
Edmonton
-
Charges laid against man who knew victim of fatal hit-and-run
A fatal hit-and-run in west Edmonton is being investigated by homicide detectives.
-
Woman killed by police in southeast Edmonton
Police shot and killed a woman in southeast Edmonton on Wednesday.
-
Ice rinks at Victoria Oval, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park open Friday
The City of Edmonton's winter activities begin on Friday with the opening of the ice rinks at Victoria Oval and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.
Vancouver
-
Was the order to dismantle a Downtown Eastside homeless encampment legal? Here's what the court decided.
An order by Vancouver's fire chief to clear an encampment on the Downtown Eastside was "unlawful and invalid," according to a lawyer who represented residents in a court challenge of the order.
-
The PNE Winter Fair and several other events to check out in Vancouver this weekend
Hanukkah is here and Christmas is less than three weeks away. Here are some ways to celebrate the season in Vancouver this weekend.
-
Waitlist fees for B.C.-funded child-care providers ending in 2024
The controversial waitlist fees charged by some B.C. child-care providers will soon be a thing of the past – at least among providers that receive operating funding from the province.
