Thunder Bay Closes for Outside Patients

Another shot for local residents who want to seek medical attention.
The Thunder Bay Regional Hospital has implemented a so-called Closed to the Region policy.
The hospitals emergency room is refusing non-urgent cases for patients who live anywhere between Sioux Lookout and Terrace Bay.
The policy will be in effect until at least next week.
A space crunch is being blamed by Hospital executives.
Thunder Bay’s hospital is not the only one facing a crunch.
The Dryden Hospital Board is reporting an increase in the number of patients going through its emergency ward.
Hospital staff are stressing that patients may experience longer waits, and patients are seen on a priority basis.
The ER usually sees about 50-60 people a day, however that has gone up to 70 to 80.
As well, only one physician is currently working in the emergency room.