Bluewater Health is currently amid another temporary closure of their emergency general surgery, from May 5 to May 9, 2025.
General surgery pertains to abdominal or gastrointestinal issues. This means patients requiring emergency surgery for things such as appendicitis, gall bladder attacks, bowel obstructions will likely need to be transferred by ambulance to another hospital.
Bluewater Health’s operating room, including all elective/scheduled surgeries, will remain open and will continue as scheduled. Partner hospitals are aware of the temporary general surgery coverage issues and will be available to assist as needed.
This temporary closure is due to general surgeon staffing shortages. It is the third temporary hiatus in recent months, the previous ones occurring in December 2024 and February 2025.
The good news, however, is that Bluewater Health has successfully recruited more general surgeons who will begin working at the hospital this summer. With their arrival, Bluewater Health does not anticipate any further gaps in general surgery coverage.
Dr. Michel Haddad, Bluewater Health's chief of staff, spoke with The Journal during the last temporary closure. He said that patient transfers for general surgery during such a hiatus sometimes happen two or three times daily.
“It’s up and down. Some days we have no one transferred,” he said.
Patients are sent to the nearest hospital with available beds and staffing. “London has been our biggest helper,” said Haddad. “Chatham has also helped us out.”
“It does add cost,” said Haddad about patient transfers, “and it puts strain on the system.”
The shortage of general surgeons at Bluewater Health came about when three of the five surgeons on staff left within a four-month period at the end of 2024, for various reasons.
To fill this shortage in the meantime, Bluewater Health has relied on locum surgeons, surgeons who work elsewhere, to come to Sarnia to help out when they have available time. However, there are times when gaps cannot be filled, and therefore patients must be transferred.
Haddad emphasized that the community should still use Bluewater Health emergency departments for all acute medical needs during the temporary pause. “If you’re sick, come to the ER,” he said.
Patients will be assessed, and a determination will be made if a transfer to a partner hospital is required.
Patient transfers are common with other types of surgeries, Haddad said. “We do it all the time. Either way you will be looked after.”