Important information about Sunday's hospital move

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT AREA HOSPITAL

***************************** Reminder - Sault Area Hospital patient transfer this Sunday

Sault Area Hospital wishes to remind residents that the move of all patients and remaining services to the new hospital at 750 Great Northern Road is taking place this Sunday, March 6.

The patient move will begin at 7:30 a.m. and is expected to be completed by mid-to-late afternoon.

Emergency services

As of 6 a.m. on Sunday, the Emergency Department at the current General Hospital site will close and the ED at the new site will open.

All residents requiring emergency services, including expectant mothers in labour, must report to the new facility after that time.

Anyone travelling by ambulance will automatically be transported to the appropriate location.

Those visiting the ED are reminded that there is a separate entrance and parking lot at the south end of the building, providing convenient and direct access.

Visitor restrictions

To minimize traffic and congestion and ensure a safe transfer of our patients, visiting hours will be restricted on this day to between 5:30 and 8 p.m. only, at both the new and current sites, and will be strictly enforced.

Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds and can be arranged by speaking with the staff on the nursing unit where your loved one is located.

Anyone other than pre-approved visitors and emergency patients will be asked to return at the appropriate time.

Regular visiting hours will resume on Monday, March 7.

Alternate medical care options

As a service to the community, the Sault Care Medical (walk-in) Clinic located in Cambrian Mall will be open between 10 a.m and 2 p.m. on March 6 to serve the needs of all patients with non-urgent medical conditions.

The Group Health Centre (GHC) Same Day Clinic will also be open from noon to 5 p.m. for GHC patients, by appointment only.

We urge all residents to take advantage of the excellent care available at these locations and avoid the Emergency Department for less urgent matters if possible.

Contacting or visiting patients

After 5 p.m., once all patient transfers are complete, residents may contact switchboard for patient locations.

The phone number remains unchanged at 705-759-3434.

Visitors may also check at the Information Desk located in the main lobby.

Volunteers will be on duty until 9 p.m. on move day to assist you.

Parking

Patients and visitors may park in any of the four parking lots surrounding the building.

The parking rate remains unchanged at $5, with monthly passes available for those with loved ones in the hospital for extended periods.

No parking is allowed anywhere other than the designated lots, including the road encircling the hospital and leading to or from the Great Northern Road and Third Line entrances.

Public transit

Public transportation to the new SAH is available via two bus routes (Cedar Heights, North Street).

On March 6, buses will not enter the hospital site until the start of visiting hours at 5:30 p.m.

Alternate route arrangements will be made for that day and SAH regrets any inconvenience that this may cause.

For details, visit www.citysssm.on.ca

SAH is a non-smoking facility

The entire property is non-smoking, including all buildings, parking lots, access roads and the Hub Trail which runs along the eastern edge of the hospital grounds.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere, including in vehicles, while on SAH property.

SAH wishes to remind everyone to respect the rights and privacy of the property owners adjacent to the hospital grounds and not trespass or litter on those properties.

March 6, 2011 represents a historic milestone and a new chapter in the delivery of health care services in Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma District. SAH would like to thank everyone in advance for your cooperation and patience in ensuring a safe patient move.

For full details on the new SAH, please visit www.sah.on.ca ***************************** ///