Almonte General Hospital has seen a sharp rise in emergency room (ER) closures, ranking 9th in Ontario for interruptions, according to a CBC analysis.
The hospital faced 16 closures in 2024, up from 12 in 2023 and 8 in 2022.
The analysis reviewed temporary closures from January 2022 to November 2024, revealing that at least 38 hospitals across the province have experienced service interruptions in the past three years.
Most are in rural areas, where staffing shortages are a significant challenge.
Data shows 2024 could be Ontario’s worst year for ER closures, with Clinton Public Hospital leading the list at 335 closures.
Healthcare interruptions like these were “very rare” before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Ontario’s Auditor General.