Nurse shortage at Montreal Children's Hospital shuts down beds

The Montreal Children's Hospital has temporarily closed half its post-operation beds because of a chronic nursing shortage.

Administrators at the hospital shut down seven of 19 beds in one of its two post-op units because of staffing difficulties.

While it's not the first time the hospital has been forced to close down beds, never has it shut so many spots at one time.

"We have an acute shortage of nurses," said hospital spokeswoman Lisa Dutton. "But for the time being, even if the unit was half closed, we can still treat all children who come our way," she said.

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