Over 200 unplanned ER closures in rural areas, Ontario’s AG audit finds

Acting Ontario Auditor General Nick Stavropoulos revealed in a health care audit on Wednesday that there were over 200 unplanned, temporary emergency department closures over 12 months leading up to June 2023, involving 23 hospitals in rural and remote areas, largely due to nursing shortages. He added ER wait times have also increased post-pandemic.

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