HANOVER – On Friday, Feb. 25 at 10:25 p.m., Hanover and District Hospital (HDH) received a bomb threat. Police were immediately notified.
Patients were quickly evacuated to a secure location and later transferred to Walkerton and Durham hospitals. Families of these patients were notified of the situation.
South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) said that “with the support of our EMS partners and other transportation services, 10 patients were sent to the Walkerton site including one to the Family Birthing Centre, and eight patients were sent to the Durham site.”
A statement provided by SBGHC further said staff and equipment were quickly mobilized to ensure everything necessary was in place for the incoming patients. The Hanover hospital sent nurses to support the SBGHC team, and the patients remained under the care of the Hanover physician.
SBGHC frontline staff were supported by several members of the SBGHC management team, who worked through the night at both Walkerton and Durham sites to ensure the co-ordination and safe care of all patients.
The emergency department at HDH was closed overnight for precautionary reasons.
Police conducted a search of the Hanover hospital and found nothing suspicious.
Upon clearance from the Hanover and West Grey Police Services, the Hanover emergency department resumed operation Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 a.m., and inpatients were brought back to the hospital throughout the day.
With the closure for the night of the Hanover emergency department, the ER in Walkerton was opened on an emergency basis; a Walkerton physician was on hand to provide care in the ER.
HDH stated in a press release: “We would like to thank our staff and physicians who responded promptly to the evolving situation. We would also like to thank the Hanover Police Service, West Grey Police Service, Grey County EMS, Bruce County EMS, Hanover Fire Department, and the Walkerton and Durham sites of South Bruce Grey Health Centre for their diligence in ensuring the safety of our hospital and its patients.”
Hanover Police Deputy Chief George Hepplethwaite said that as of Tuesday, police had no suspects. They’ve spoken to a woman who was seen at 5:17 p.m. Friday taking photos around the hospital area, and determined it was “totally coincidental” – no connection with the threat.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hanover police at 519-364-2411 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
