has reopened the Emergency Department at its Grace Division at 3030 Birchmount
Road.
"I want to thank our staff, physicians, patients and community for their
commitment, dedication and support over the past few months as our Grace
Division first faced the enormous challenges of the first SARS outbreak, then
continued to support the system during the second outbreak," said Ron Bodrug,
President and CEO, The Scarborough Hospital. "We are delighted to reopen our
Emergency Department and to begin delivering our full range of health care
services to our community again."
As the first hospital in the GTA to encounter SARS, and consistent with
a citywide containment strategy, TSH closed its Grace Division Emergency
Department on March 23 guided by Public Health. Two days later, TSH
temporarily suspended all services at the Grace, then gradually began resuming
services on April 28 following provincial infection control directives and an
excellent review process.
"Throughout this incredibly challenging time, our staff and physicians
have been true heroes," said Glenna Raymond, Senior Vice President, The
Scarborough Hospital. "These are the men and women who have built TSH's
reputation as hands on, urban community hospital that has always stepped up
to the most difficult and sensitive health care challenges. They are at the
core of what makes this hospital and community great."
Scarborough has been on the frontlines of an international health
emergency since March and TSH is grateful for the outpouring of support
received from its community during the most difficult time in the hospital's
history. Many have sent letters, cards, emails, gifts and hosted special
community events to show their appreciation for the hospital and its frontline
health care workers.
Last week, the province announced TSH's designation as one of four GTA
hospitals in a new Interim Health Care Alliance. The four hospitals in this
special alliance are providing leadership and experience in the treatment and
containment of SARS, in addition to providing their usual health services to
their communities.
"While providing leadership to the system in this short-term role, TSH
will continue to reserve capacity for providing regular health services to our
community, " said Raymond. "The sharing of services and resources across our
Grace and General Divisions that has worked so well over the past few months
will ensure that our community continues to receive the care it deserves when
it needs it."
All regular services are up and running at the Grace Division, but
visitors are still restricted to two per day and screening continues as per
provincial directives. Non-urgent and outpatient services have been cancelled
at the General Division, but the Emergency Department, Obstetrics, Dialysis
and Mental Health remain open.
health care system. TSH is a regional treatment centre for Dialysis and MRI
and is renowned for its sexual assault care centre and mental health programs.
Affiliated with the University of Toronto, TSH is also a referral centre for
vascular surgery, pacemakers and corneal implants.