PSFDH Board of Directors Meeting

June 28, 2022

Media Release

RE: Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Board of Directors Meeting

Smiths Falls, ON - The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (PSFDH) Board of Directors in consultation with Hospital management met this morning and determined that there would be no closure of departments/services at this time.

There is a critical shortage of staff that has been ongoing since the onset of the pandemic. Hospital management has been dealing with a worsening staffing situation for months. PSFDH finds itself in similar positions to all hospitals not only in Ontario but across Canada to fill funded but vacant nursing positions.

Physicians and hospital management have been working together to find creative solutions to maintain all services to guarantee patient and staff/physicians safety at all times. PSFDH is undertaking the following nursing recruitment actions through:

• Agency nursing
• Creation of additional (new) nursing positions to support all areas of the hospital
• Financial incentives
• Reaching out to retired nurses

PSFDH continues to consult with staff, physicians on solutions to address this staffing crisis.

As always, the PSFDH Board, hospital management and physicians are committed to making the right choices to ensure continued safe care for our patients and work environment for our staff and physicians. The PSFDH thanks the community for its continued support as we navigate together through this unprecedented time.

About PSFDH:

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is a fully accredited acute care health care organization located on two state-of-the-art sites. The hospital is situated in the heart of the Rideau Canal region and proudly provides health services to more than 60,000 people in the surrounding communities. The hospital delivers a broad range of primary and secondary services and programs such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, general and specialty surgical services, dialysis as well as laboratory and infection control services.


For more information contact:

Karen Kelly
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital
613-283-2330 ext:1129
www.psfdh.on.ca