Grey Bruce Health Services says effective June 15th, patients who visit the Lab at any of their hospitals will be required to have an appointment and walk-ins will no longer be accepted.
They say by moving to an appointment based schedule, they can better manage the number of people waiting and implement physical distancing measures.
The hospital group adds, pre-booked appointments will also help them to better serve patients by reducing wait times.
Patients who have an OHIP requisition who can have their routine bloodwork done at a private Lab (e.g. LifeLabs) are encouraged to do so.
Labs at all GBHS hospitals will focus on bloodwork for inpatients, urgent cases, pre-surgical patients and those individuals whose bloodwork is essential for determining same-day medication dosage or treatment approaches.
To make an appointment for Lab services at any GBHS hospital, call 1-888-525-0553, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
They say their booking staff will do their best to coordinate Lab appointments with other scheduled appointments, including Oncology appointments, to reduce multiple hospital visits for patients.