Brantford General Hospital resumed elective surgeries in June, following months of these being put on hold because of COVID-19. Martin Ruaux, vice-president of clinical programs and chief nurse executive for Brant Community Healthcare System, says the surgeries resumed on a gradual basis, with the most urgent performed first. The plan was to start by working at 25 per cent of normal activity for two weeks, then ramp it up to another 25 per cent every two weeks, Ruaux says. Pre-pandemic, the hospital was performing about 42 elective surgeries each day. Those non-emergency procedures were put on hold on March 15. To resume elective surgeries, hospitals must ensure the number of COVID-19 cases in the community is stable. They must have a stable supply of personal protective equipment and medications, as well as a sufficient number of patient beds and appropriate staffing levels. “Our priority has to be the safety of patients and staff,” says Ruaux. “I’m proud of the way the organization has come through this. We’ve learned a lot that we can use during a second wave.” (Brantford Expositor, June 9)