Glengarry Memorial Hospital closing ER at night

The Glengarry Memorial Hospital on County Road 43 in Alexandria, Ont. (Google Maps via Newswatch Group)

ALEXANDRIA – Glengarry Memorial Hospital will be closing its emergency room overnight for the next three weeks.

The hospital says it made the “difficult decision” as it’s dealing with an “unprecedented shortage of nurses” in the ER.

The emergency room will close at 6 p.m. tonight (Friday) and will only be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until Aug. 3.

HGMH says the situation may change if staffing levels change.

It adds that regional health partners and partner hospitals have been notified. Ambulances will be going to the Cornwall or Hawkesbury hospitals in the interim.

The Alexandria hospital is experiencing what is happening at other Ontario hospitals with reduced staff due to COVID-19 illness, vacations and burnout.

Last week, the Cornwall Community Hospital warned people to expect longer wait times in the ER due to limited staff.