Trent University and PRHC Partner For Healthcare Advancement In Peterborough

Trent University and Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are partnering to advance healthcare with a new agreement outlining plans to enhance interdisciplinary research activity, leadership training, applied learning and career opportunities and student volunteer opportunities, announced on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Trent University.

“This agreement strengthens Trent University’s collaboration with PRHC, creating new opportunities to engage in research, share expertise, and drive meaningful impact in healthcare,” said Dr. Cathy Bruce, Trent president and vice-chancellor. “The collaboration is about more than formalizing our work together—it’s about opening doors to new longer-term projects, securing critical funding, expanding hands-on learning for students, and scaling innovations that will help shape the future of healthcare in our region and beyond.”

“At Peterborough Regional Health Centre, we’ve made a strategic commitment to building our teaching and research focus, and our long-standing partnership with Trent University is key to moving this work forward,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC President and CEO. “By cultivating our research and innovation partnerships, PRHC will strengthen the patient care and support we offer at our regional hospital for years and decades to come, and offer expanded and enhanced educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare and related fields.”

As outlined in a new memorandum of understanding (MOU), Trent and PRHC will work together on various initiatives highlighting the two institutions' strengths, including research, leadership development and experiential learning for post-secondary students, according to Trent.

Key areas of collaboration include:

• Research collaborations to tackle pressing health issues – including diabetes and seniors’ care – and expand eligible funding sources for both Trent and PRHC

• Development of data infrastructure and data governance to support seamless and secure knowledge exchanges between healthcare professionals and academic researchers

• Undergraduate and volunteer experience in the hospital for Trent students

• Development of micro-credentials on healthcare leadership

• Adjunct teaching opportunities PRHC staff to serve as adjunct instructors and clinical mentors at Trent

• Sustainability and energy initiatives that help both institutions progress toward reduced environmental footprints

“This is just the beginning of this new avenue of collaboration, and we look forward to sharing more stories and outcomes from the work we do together in the coming months and years with the Peterborough community,” said Julie Davis, vice president, External Relations & Development.

"When strong partners such as PRHC and Trent University work together, supported by their community donors, so much more becomes possible. This is an exciting new example of collaboration and collective efforts fuelling innovation and progress that will help us reimagine what healthcare looks like in our region and create a healthier, stronger community for all,” said Lesley Heighway, president, PRHC Foundation.

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CMHA Launches Mental Health Walk-in Clinics in Peterborough and Lindsay

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has launched two Mental Health Walk-in Clinics in Peterborough and Lindsay as of Monday.

Jessica Swift, RPN (left) with the virtual care clinic at CMHA HKPR and Tracy Graham, Director of Programs and Services (right) photo courtesy of CMHA.

They are located at CMHA HKPR’s offices at 466 George St. N. in Peterborough and 33 Lindsay St. S. in Lindsay.

The clinics will run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with no appointment necessary. The clinics are closed over lunch from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

The clinics are meant for individuals 16 and over who are not already connected with CMHA HKPR but are seeking mental health support and may not know how to get connected to care.

Depending on need, those visiting will see a mental health worker to be assessed and connect with CMHA HKPR services or another community service.

“This clinic is about creating a resource that allows people to have a real time connection with a mental health professional who can provide support and assist in helping people have information that is helpful to them as they access the mental health system” says Tracy Graham, Director of Programs and Services with CMHA HKPR.

The Mental Health Walk-in Clinics are a conversation and assessment tool to help individuals determine the best pathway to care for themselves in real time. The clinics are not for individuals in crisis or requiring acute care.

PRHC advises that anyone in crisis or experiencing emotional distress should contact the 9-8-8 National Suicide Crisis Line by calling or texting 9-8-8. Individuals seeking acute care should go to the Emergency Department at their local hospital.

The Mental Health Walk-in Clinics differ from Peterborough’s Talk Now Clinic. The Talk Now Clinic provides talk therapy support while the new clinics connect individuals to a broader network of mental health supports and pathways.

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Ontario Government Providing $6.2 In Funding For Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub In Peterborough

The Ontario Government is providing support for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues in Peterborough by building a $6.2 million new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, announced at Showplace Performance on Monday.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

This new hub is part of the province’s plan to support safer communities by investing $529 million to create 27 HART Hubs across the province while also banning drug injection sites from operating within 200 metres of schools and licensed child-care centres.

“For the first time in Ontario’s history, we are taking a look at the entire continuum for homelessness, addictions, and recovery,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “The Hart Hub is a fantastic approach; it means that we are crossing different sectors to ensure that we are providing the service where they need it, when they need it, and at the appropriate level. People can enter at any stage into the Hub, wherever they are, and then progress through. It is the first time that any province has looked at the entire continuum for homelessness, addiction, and rehab.”

Peterborough’s HART Hubs, similar to existing hub models in Ontario that have successfully provided people with care, will reflect regional priorities by connecting people with complex needs to comprehensive treatment and preventative services.

Planning efforts to create the HART Hub in Peterborough are underway and the proposed services to be offered could include:

• Primary and psychiatric care

• Mental health and addictions services including case management, Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM), withdrawal management, bed-based addiction treatment, and aftercare

• Peer recovery coaches

• Mental health and addictions supportive housing (transitional and permanent) and dual diagnosis supportive housing with 24/7 community wrap-around services

• Occupational therapy

• Vocational services

“The HART Hub investments are the right concept for the right time. Our community, like others, is struggling with high rates of homelessness, chronic mental illness, substance use and addictions and poverty. For people living this crisis, housing is the solution,” said Donna Rogers, Fourcast executive director. “The Peterborough HART Hub investment will offer housing alongside many of the other essential supports that can help people re-establish their lives through housing stability, addiction and mental health recovery and good health. Our community is ready to maximize this opportunity and build on the strong foundations of housing from homelessness that has been established amongst our community partners.”

The 18 new HART hub locations, including in Peterborough, were chosen due to a provincewide call for proposals last summer. All HART Hubs will have the goal of being operational by April 1. Earlier this year, the province announced that nine drug injection sites in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener, Guelph and Thunder Bay that are required to close due to being located within 200 metres of a school or licensed child-care centres have been approved for transition to a HART Hub. This brings the total number of HART Hubs across the province to 27, eight more than initially planned.

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Ontario Government Invests $2.9 Million Into PRHC For Expansive Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

The Ontario Government is investing $2.9 million into the PHRC to expand the mental health crisis unit for faster and easier connections to high-quality, comprehensive mental health and addiction care services, announced at Showplace Performance Centre on Monday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan bui.

“This investment to enhance the PRHC Crisis Response Unit showcases our government's commitment to addressing mental health challenges,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. It will significantly impact the lives of patients and their families in Peterborough and nearby regions, allowing our healthcare professionals to maintain exceptional care for those in need.”

The expansion is meant to ensure that the hospital is better equipped to deliver responsive and comprehensive care to those in crisis according to Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO.

“The addition of a purpose-built, expanded Crisis Response Unit at PRHC will have a profound impact on the lives of thousands of patients, improving care and alleviating overcrowding in our Emergency Department, which sees 80,000 visits a year,” she said. “The need for mental health crisis services in our region has grown substantially over the last decade, and we look forward to launching into the next phase of this project, which will ensure that our Mental Health Crisis Response Unit is equipped to provide the best possible care and support in the years and decades to come.”

Once opened, the expanded mental health crisis unit will include:

• Additional capacity to address high volumes of acute mental health and substance abuse incidents

• New crisis unit beds

• Separation for adult and youth mental health patients to enhance the delivery of care, so they can receive the appropriate and high-quality care in a safe space

The ministry says they are working with PRHC to complete early planning and design for this project. A construction schedule will be confirmed once further planning is complete and the project is tendered and awarded.

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Forbes Lists Peterborough Regional Health Centre In Top 300 List of Canada's Best Employers

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Employers in 2025 according to Forbes’s list on Wednesday.

PRHC is the region’s largest employer, with more than 3,100 staff, 450 physicians with privileges and a core group of 250 volunteers. File Photo.

PRHC was listed as one of the top 20 employers nationwide in the healthcare and social services category and 199 overall among 300 Canadian employers across all sectors.

“Every day, I see the work that our healthcare leaders, staff, physicians and volunteers put in to make our regional hospital such a special place,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC president and CEO. “It’s wonderful to see a prestigious organization like Forbes recognizing that too. At PRHC, our greatest strength is our people. One team, here for our community when you need us most.”

The annual Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers is developed by asking survey respondents if they would recommend their employer to others based on a range of criteria, including salary, work flexibility, training programs and opportunities to advance.

It was produced in partnership with market research firm Statista. The latter surveyed over 40,000 Canada-based employees working for companies and institutions that employ at least 500 individuals within Canada. Data was analyzed from the last three years, each employer was given a score and the top 300 organizations made the Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers in 2025.

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Canadian Mental Health Association Offer Tips To Battle Mental Health Stigma On Bell Let's Talk Day

To mark the 15th annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) have joined the latter in providing tips to help beat the stigma of mental health.

Since its launch in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk has significantly advanced Canada’s mental health conversation. This initiative has reduced stigma, spurred open dialogue, and fostered positive changes in attitudes and behaviours surrounding mental health. File Photo.

 CMHA HKPR encourages the public to be part of the change and use this campaign as an opportunity to take action that is meaningful. 

How to Get Involved:

• Text the keyword “YOUTH” to 45678 to donate $5 to support youth mental health. Bell will match these donations up to $1 million.

These are the five ways to help fight the stigma surrounding mental illness:

1. Language matters – pay attention to the words you use.

2. Educate yourself – learn, know and talk more – understand the signs when someone needs help. Consider education offered through CMHA HKPR, including corporate and workplace mental health education as well as certificate training.

3. Be kind – small acts of kindness to someone struggling can help a lot.

4. Listen and ask – sometimes it is best to just listen.

5. Talk about it – start a dialogue, break the silence!

In October, Bell announced a $10 million contribution to mental health in 2025, increasing its total investment to $184 million since 2010.

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Peterborough Public Health Provides Tips to Protect Yourself From Cold Weather

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has again activated its Extreme Cold Response Plan (ECRP) for the region and have provided tips to stay warm during the cold temperatures.

A normal body temperature is approximately 37°C; changes of even one or two degrees to a core body temperature can increase a person’s risk of harm. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The ECRP mandates that PPH monitor temperatures and notify residents how to protect themselves when the temperature or wind chill reach temperatures that could cause negative health impacts according to PPH.

When it is activated, alerts will be shared on PPH’s social media, through media outlets, and with partner agencies. 

While extreme cold can put everyone at risk, health risks are greatest for the following individuals: 

• people experiencing homelessness 

• older adults 

• children, especially infants and young children 

• people taking certain medications 

• people with certain health conditions (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, mental illness, mobility limitations) 

• people who live in homes that are poorly insulated, without heat/power 

• people who are active outdoors (e.g., outdoor workers, winter sport enthusiasts)  

Residents are reminded to protect themselves and those in their care from extreme cold by: 

• seeking shelter when the temperatures drop or there is a wind chill 

• always wearing clothing appropriate for the weather 

• dressing in layers, with a wind-resistant outer layer 

• wearing warm socks, hat, gloves, and scarf 

• changing into dry clothing as soon as possible, if you get wet 

• paying attention to weather alerts, including wind chill alerts 

• knowing their own risk factors, such as certain medical conditions  

PPH says most common cold-related injuries are windburn, frostbite and hypothermia, all of which are preventable. They continue to state that there is a higher risk of heart attacks during extreme cold events since a person’s heart rate will increase as the body tries to pump blood faster to maintain warmth. It is also likely to be slippery during cold periods, increasing the risk of falls and injuries because of hazardous conditions. 

The City of Peterborough has extended the hours of Trinity Community Centre, located at 360 Reid St, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (overnight services remain 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.). PPH encourages residents of the County to visit heated public spaces, such as libraries, arenas or warming centres when needed.   

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Opens Reactivation Care Centre For Patient Restoration

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has opened a new Reactivation Care Centre, a specialized, acute medical unit dedicated to patient reactivation and restoration, announced on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the PRHC.

This new patient care space is designed to help patients prepare to return home once they no longer require acute, hospital-level care, said PRHC. The unit will provide dedicated support for identified patients and their families through a time-specified, short-stay admission, helping each patient achieve specific goals that will allow them to safely transition back into the community.

All ages qualify,but the Reactivation Care Centre will care for seniors.

The Reactivation Care Centre’s interprofessional team will help each patient become as independent and active as possible through a custom-designed approach. It will also work with patients and their families to connect them with the appropriate hospital and community partners and support them before they return home.

The interprofessional team on the unit includes:

• Elder Life Specialist

• Nursing

• Occupational Therapy

• Pharmacy

• Physicians

• Physiotherapy

• Recreation Therapy

• Rehabilitation Assistant

• Seniors’ Care Lead

• Social Work

“The Reactivation Care Centre goes beyond just providing a setting for patients to recover from their acute illness,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, President & CEO at PRHC. “With a time-limited stay based on the individual’s specific needs, each patient will have access to specialized, restorative care to prepare them for a successful discharge from the hospital. The targeted care being offered on this unit will help to address the increasing demands of our growing and aging community in Peterborough.”

The Reactivation Care Centre was possible through the PRHC Foundation and its donors according to a press release.

"It's because of our community's generous support of the $60 million Campaign for PRHC that the Foundation can respond quickly to PRHC's most urgent needs – such as the Reactivation Care Centre – as they arise throughout the year,” said Lesley Heighway, President & CEO of the PRHC Foundation. “Community donations made it possible to fund $400,000 in vital infrastructure for the reactivation unit, including patient beds, vital signs monitors, and specialized wheelchairs, to help patients return home after hospital care. This is a great example of the power of philanthropy in our community. Thank you, donors.”

“Over the last several years, the government of Ontario has provided a number of critical investments that have allowed PRHC to explore innovative solutions for the growing numbers of patients in the Peterborough region who require hospital care,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “This includes $2.9M invested into community partnerships to allow patients who no longer require hospital-level care to be relocated into more appropriate care settings, and more than $600,000 invested into programs offered through the Emergency Department to help patients maintain their independence and prevent unnecessary inpatient stays at the hospital. I am pleased to see the hospital and its partners launch this innovative, hospitalbased care model, and I look forward to hearing more about its successes in the year ahead.”

Key benefits of the new Reactivation Care Centre at PRHC include:

• Specialized care for patients and their families, tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

• Interdisciplinary care excellence: A team that has the right knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide the level of care needed.

• People-centered. Care is focused on what each patient needs to return safely home after their hospital stay. Caregivers are identified, included, and supported as essential care partners and are respected as members of the patient's care team.

• Custom-designed, tech-enabled care space, with a focus on functional enhancement, individualized, patient-centred programming, and supported by technology-enabled care and communication.

• System responsiveness.

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Peterborough Healthcare Providers Offer Tips During Respiratory Illness Season

With respiratory illness season upon us, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), Peterborough Family Health Team (PFHT) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) are providing healthcare tips to consider before going to the Emergency Department.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

With mounting patient volumes at PRHC, all providers ask patients to assess the urgency of their conditions and consider alternatives to the ED if they do not require emergency care. PPH says to consider your family doctor or nurse practitioner (if you have one), as they may offer same-day appointments.

PFHT-affiliated physicians also offer extended-hour clinics to serve their rostered patients with non-emergent health concerns. Those with a family physician or nurse practitioner are encouraged to call them first and to use the extended hours service if their physician is away. Learn more about the extended hours service.

Those without a primary care provider can view a list of alternative healthcare options. 

PRHC's ED is available 24/7 for patients who need emergency care.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone over six months. PRHC does not offer these vaccines to members of the community. They may also be available at your local pharmacy. COVID-19 vaccination can be booked through the Provincial Vaccine Booking Centre online or by calling 1-833-943-3900. Eligible residents can receive testing for COVID-19 at participating pharmacies.

Residents are advised to check Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 and Other Respiratory Virus Risk Index for guidance on staying safe during holiday gatherings. PPH suggests to consider borrowing a CO2 monitor from your local library to monitor indoor air quality and help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

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