Local hospitals are being forced to cancel some surgeries and procedures as they continue to grapple with high demand, fuelled by a difficult respiratory illness season that is impacting children.
Cambridge Memorial Hospital confirmed on Friday that three adult and two paediatric elective surgeries were postponed this week because of increased volumes in the medicine and paediatric inpatient programs.
A hospital spokesperson couldn't confirm whether any further elective surgeries would be impacted next week, noting it's a day-by-day decision.
"Rescheduling surgeries is a last resort and done only when absolutely necessary to free up beds," read an e-mail statement from Stephan Beckhoff, manager of communications at Cambridge Memorial.
Urgent and emergency surgeries are not affected.
Grand River Hospital in Kitchener is also deferring about a dozen tonsillectomies until December in order to free up inpatient pediatric beds. The hospital said it is required in order to accommodate the increased volume of young patients coming in who need to be admitted for acute care.
St. Mary's General Hospital already announced this week that some elective surgeries were being cancelled due to a high number of admissions and continued staffing pressures. Temporary visitor restrictions have also been implemented in its emergency department in response.
