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Western Health to resume surgeries bumped by H1N1 cases

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 | 4:21 PM NT

CBC News

The largest hospital in western Newfoundland said Tuesday it will resume some surgeries now that fewer health care workers and members of the public are showing up at its emergency room with flu-like symptoms.

Elective surgeries were stopped at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook during the past two weeks as health care workers became overwhelmed by cases involving the H1N1 influenza A virus responsible for the current swine flu pandemic.

The strain on the system has eased this week, and the hospital is now able to resume some operations, said Ken Jenkins, vice-president of medical services, Tuesday.

"This decrease in the burden of illness has enabled us to restart a limited surgical program," said Jenkins in a news release. "We are watching this trend very closely and are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to get back to normal capacity within the next three to four weeks."

The hospital will be running two operating rooms that will handle the backlog of postponed surgeries.

Western Health said it was able to continue emergency surgeries during the H1N1 spike.

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Nfld. & Labrador Headlines

N.L. chopper probe hears from families of the dead: Family members of some of the 17 people killed when a Cougar chopper crashed last March are scheduled to speak Wednesday at the offshore helicopter inquiry in St. John's.
Fired N.L. child advocate in new job: Newfoundland and Labrador's former child and youth advocate, who was fired from her job over accusations she created a poisoned work environment, has a new job.
Another N.L. chopper crash inevitable: union: A union leader representing oil workers says another offshore chopper crash will happen in Newfoundland and Labrador — and he's calling for changes to improve workers' chances of survival when it does.
St. John's snow dumping angers resident: A downtown St. John's resident, who couldn't get into his driveway after plow operators blocked it with snow, says he's getting no satisfaction from the city.
Woman denies Horwood assault: One of the people charged with assaulting an elderly man in his home in rural Newfoundland last fall pleaded not guilty Tuesday during a court appearance.

Canada Headlines

Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
N.L. chopper probe hears from families of the dead: Family members of some of the 17 people killed when a Cougar chopper crashed last March are scheduled to speak Wednesday at the offshore helicopter inquiry in St. John's.
Prepare for rising sea levels, Halifax told: Halifax municipal officials plan to take inventory of every property along the harbour as a new study suggests water levels could rise 73 centimetres by the next century.
Slain woman in colonel case remembered: Former classmates and teachers from Fredericton's École Sainte-Anne are remembering Cpl. Marie-France Comeau, allegedly killed by Col. Russell Williams.
Health costs push Alberta budget deficit to $4.75B: Alberta's Progressive Conservative government is projecting a record $4.75-billion budget deficit and planning cuts in many departments while increasing health-care spending.

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Headlines

N.L. chopper probe hears from families of the dead: Family members of some of the 17 people killed when a Cougar chopper crashed last March are scheduled to speak Wednesday at the offshore helicopter inquiry in St. John's.
Trenton colonel's charges spur cold case review: The 2001 slaying of a Nova Scotia woman at CFB Trenton in eastern Ontario is among the cases being re-examined after murder charges were laid against Col. Russell Williams.
Health costs push Alberta budget deficit to $4.75B: Alberta's Progressive Conservative government is projecting a record $4.75-billion budget deficit and planning cuts in many departments while increasing health-care spending.
Greece hit by 24-hour strike against cuts: Flights were grounded and government services halted in Greece on Wednesday as public-sector workers launched a 24-hour strike to protest government spending cuts and tax changes.
Endeavour docks at space station: Shuttle Endeavour has arrived at the International Space Station, delivering a new room and observation deck that will come close to completing construction 320 kilometres above Earth.