Patients turned to the Emergency Department (ED) of Blanche River Health (BRH) 20,245 times from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, an increase of 3,946 visits, or 24 per cent year-over-year, announced Jorge VanSlyke, BRH’s President and CEO, as she released the hospital’s 2022-2023 annual report. 

“In a year that saw more than 100 ED closures across the province, I am so appreciative of the hard work, collaboration and sacrifices our amazing clinicians made and continue to make every day to keep our ED doors open, even as volumes spike,” said VanSlyke.

The annual report also reveals:

• Our laboratory team processed 160,000 test results at our Englehart and Kirkland Lake sites
• 1,764 patients came in for day surgery
• The COVID-19 assessment centres saw 6,892 visits
• 286 tons of linens, scrubs, gowns and more were washed, dried and folded by our laundry team
• Our food services team prepared 174,706 meals at both sites

The 2022-2023 annual report is available now on the BRH web site (www.blancheriverhealth.ca). To receive a hard copy, please call (705) 567-5251, ext. 2156 or email communications@blancheriverhealth.ca. 

Blanche River Health is a 74-bed hospital corporation with two sites serving the North Eastern Ontario communities of Englehart (26 beds) and Kirkland Lake (48 beds) as well as residents in surrounding areas.