PRHC Sees Record-Number COVID-19 Patients, Longer Wait Times Expected
/Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is seeing a record-high number of inpatients with COVID-19 combined with ongoing short-staffing, resulting in longer wait times announced on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of PRHC.
PRHC is asking community members to consider their alternative options before seeking care at the hospital.
“PRHC, like hospitals across Ontario, is very much still in the midst of the pandemic,” said Dr. Lynn Mikula, PRHC Chief of Staff and Chief Medical Executive. “While mandates have lifted in most public spaces, PRHC is not operating in its pre-pandemic state and in fact a number of key factors continue to converge at the hospital as we grapple with the effects of this sixth wave of COVID-19.”
Anyone visiting the Emergency Department for care should expect longer-than-usual waits to be seen for all but the most acute illnesses and conditions.
The hospital encourages those considering coming to the ED to assess their illness and consider alternative options for care if their situation is not an emergency:
Individuals who are registered with a family physician/practitioner should seek non-urgent care through their office before coming to the hospital.
Telehealth Ontario is also available; this is a free, confidential service that you can call at 1-866-797-0000 to get health advice or information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assistance is available in more than 300 languages.
“Our healthcare workers have also seen an increase in aggressive and abusive behaviours from some members of the public,” said Dr. Mikula. “PRHC staff and physicians are working incredibly hard right now, putting in long hours under increasingly challenging conditions in order to provide life-saving care for hundreds of patients each day.”
PRHC wants to remind everyone that:
All enhanced precautions, including screening at entrances, masking and temporary visiting restrictions continue to be in effect across PRHC.
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at PRHC continues to offer medical assessment, testing and treatment options for eligible patients with COVID-19. Time is of the essence when it comes to receiving treatment for COVID-19, so if you believe you are at higher risk for severe illness, please contact the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at 705-876-5086 to request an appointment as soon as possible.
