More services will be opening up today at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
"The NBRHC is pleased to share that it will be able to resume some appointments, surgeries and procedures beginning June 1 with new measures in place to keep our patients, staff and physicians safe," the hospital stated on social media.
Hospital officials say patients will be contacted directly to reschedule their procedures.
"We appreciate your patience as we work to reschedule all the required services while giving priority to patients with urgent health needs," the hospital stated.
"Not all surgeries and procedures will resume on June 1, and we are asking your cooperation by not contacting the Health Centre directly to ask when you will be rescheduled."
Hospital officials realize this has been a tough time for patients in the area who have been waiting on surgeries or procedures which have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The decision to postpone these services was not made lightly and was guided by provincial direction to ensure capacity in our hospitals to meet COVID-19 patient needs," the hospital continued.
"Due to our local COVID-19 activity, we have been able to provide limited service in some of the very urgent cases since March. Please know that your health care team has been working hard behind the scenes to prepare our hospital so we can safely handle both surgical renewal and the needs of a potential COVID-19 surge."
The hospital adds that it is following the direction of the province in their recommendation for a phased approach to service resumption in Ontario hospitals.
"NBRHC will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and may need to revise this plan in the event we experience a surge of cases locally."
