The Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) is urging residents to consider alternative care options for non-life-threatening conditions as Brantford General Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) experiences a significant increase in patient volumes and sustained high demand.
According to data provided to BrantBlog, preliminary figures for July 2025 indicate an uptick in daily emergency department activity compared to the same period last year.
As of mid-July, the hospital has recorded an average of 152 ED visits per day, up from 141 in July 2024.
Average daily admissions have increased from 21 to 24, while ambulance arrivals have risen slightly from 43 to 45 per day. Despite the increased volume, the average time to see a physician remains at three hours.
BCHS attributes the current surge in part to recent Special Olympics events held in the city, where extreme heat and physical exertion led to a spike in patients seeking emergency care.
Hospital officials also report a higher-than-usual number of high-acuity cases and patients requiring isolation protocols—both of which place additional strain on emergency and inpatient services.
“These combined factors significantly impacted patient flow and care delivery across the hospital,” said Michael Marini, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs at BCHS, in an official response.
To manage the increased demand, the hospital has activated surge care spaces, temporarily expanding capacity to ensure patients receive care while awaiting transfer to appropriate inpatient units.
The hospital is reminding the public that patients in the ED are prioritized based on the severity of their condition, not on a first-come, first-served basis.
Residents are encouraged to seek non-urgent care through family physicians, walk-in clinics, pharmacies, or other provincial health resources. A full list of care options is available at www.bchsys.org/wheretoaccesscare.
“We understand that wait times can be frustrating for those seeking care, and we ask for the public’s patience and continued respect for our staff, physicians, and volunteers, who are working in extraordinarily busy conditions,” Marini added.
The hospital anticipates finalizing July statistics in early August, which will provide a more complete picture of the current trends.
