Queensway Carleton reducing operating rooms as it moves to next phase of COVID-19 surge plan

Queensway Carleton Hospital (QCH) is further ramping down surgeries and services to prepare for an increased COVID-19 need in Ottawa. 

Starting on Monday, April 19, it's going down to two operating rooms; one for cancer surgeries and one for emergency surgeries. The hospital says it has already ramped down endoscopy and ambulatory care clinics. Staff from these areas have moved to ICU, secondary ICU, emergency, medicine and the COVID-19 vaccine clinic. 

“This is not an easy decision to make. We know this is frustrating for all the patients this decision impacts,” writes QCH on Twitter, Friday, April 16. “Please know we are not making these difficult decisions lightly and will let you know when your appointments are able to be rescheduled as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The hospital explains that this is a time of rapid change and adjustment as it tries to maintain as many services as possible while admitting more COVID patients, plus some patients coming in from the Toronto area. 

“It’s been a long year and has affected every single person in our city, especially our healthcare workers who have been maintaining the frontline and caring for the people in our city for over a year. Your support is needed now more than ever,” says QCH.

Meanwhile, QCH is announcing that its COVID-19 vaccine clinic will begin administering doses to everyone who is eligible to further support the vaccine rollout in Ottawa, starting on Monday.

Eligible individuals are able to book their vaccine appointment through the provincial COVID-19 vaccine booking tool starting Friday. Eligibility is determined by the priority groups identified by Ontario’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

“Opening up our clinic to the public has always been our ultimate goal for the clinic — we’re here to support Ottawa Public Health with the vaccine roll out. This will help expand access to those living in Ottawa,” says Dr. Andrew Falconer, President and CEO. “I encourage everyone to get the vaccine when they are eligible and able to do so.”

The clinic, which opened on March 11, has been administering doses of the Pfizer vaccine to community healthcare workers, hospital healthcare workers, and eligible special education teachers. The staff at the clinic have been involved in our QCH Vaccine Strike Team, who have been supporting community vaccination.

To find out if you are eligible for the vaccine and book your appointment, as well as find more information on the vaccine and the rollout, please visit the Ontario vaccine webpage.