BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Kaleida Health expects to be affected by the potential strike held by union nurses and staffers at Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital.
In a news release on Wednesday, Kaleida Health expects more emergency room visits and longer wait times at Buffalo General Medical Center, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, and ECMC. Oishei Children’s Hospital is also planning for additional deliveries.
Gates Vascular Institute is already seeing additional people come in for cardiac and stroke incidents.
“We are hopeful that the impact on operations for area hospitals amid Catholic Health’s labor dispute is minimal,” Bob Nesselbush, CEO of Kaleida Health, said in a statement. “That said, it is important to point out that we intend to remain open and provide access to services across our organization. We are adding resources, recruiting additional personnel, and going through considerable scenario planning to address this. We are doing our very best to be there for the community.”
Kaleida is urging people with an ailment to contact their primary care provider for medical direction, to utilize urgent care centers, and telemedicine services for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.