Chilliwack General Hospital to resume 3 ORs a day starting in mid-October

CHILLIWACK — Rather than pursue an aggressive but ambitious plan to run four operating rooms a day, Chilliwack General Hospital will revert back to three ORs a day starting in mid-October.

Fraser Valley Today learned of the change following a contentious town hall meeting that was held on September 7.

The hospital had intended to open up a fourth operating room per day, but chronic staffing shortages have only allowed Chilliwack Hospital to barely maintain three ORs daily, until the recent reduction to two ORs a day earlier this year. Now, it’s going back to business as usual.

Efforts to address an acute nursing shortage at the hospital appear to be paying dividends. Additional nurses have been successfully recruited from other hospitals in the province, and there are plans to train approximately 11 nursing staff, including RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), to help fill the gap at Chilliwack General Hospital.