The Brock Clinic Run By Volunteers Officially Opens Offering Care To Vulnerable Community Members

The Brock Clinic, a nurse practitioner clinic for those experiencing homelessness, officially opened on Wednesday at the Brock Mission.

Anna Jamieson (NP), Lee-Anne Quinn(NP) and Dr Janet Kelly. Photo by Angela O’Grady.

The clinic was founded by Nurse Practitioner Lee-Anne Quinn along with Dr. Janet Kelly, who is serving as the collaborative physician for the nurse practitioner-led clinic. These women are all volunteering their time to run this clinic.

“We are healthcare professionals that are not working full-time, so we have some time to give and we are giving it,” said Quinn. “We completely understand our buddies that are working five days a week and are completely burnt-out after the last two years. But I know for a fact there are doctors and nurse practitioners out there that aren’t working full time. If they have even one day to give a month - here we are.”

The clinic will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, though Quinn hopes that as more nurses volunteer hours will be extended.

United Way Peterborough & District assisted the project with startup costs using federal funding from the Reaching Home program, which is a community-based program delivered locally through the United Way as part of Canada’s Homelessness Strategy aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.

The 360 Degree Nurse Practitioner–Led Clinic (NPLC) also jumped in to support the volunteer nurse practitioner lead clinic. It has supported the project with space setup, equipment, technology and it will be key in the future planning of the clinic at Brock Mission.

Nurse practitioners in the community who would like to get involved in the initiative and volunteer their time can contact 705-748-4766 ext. 237.

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Peterborough Public Health is Moving The COVID-19 Mass immunization Clinic

Peterborough Public Health will be moving the COVID-19 mass immunization clinic from the Healthy Planet Arena. Starting Monday, the COVID-19 vaccine clinics will be held temporarily at the Peterborough Public Health office at 185 King St.

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For the week of May 30, clinics run by Peterborough Public Health will be unavailable as Peterborough Public Health moves out of the Healthy Planet Arena.

The GO-VAXX mobile clinic will be coming to Lansdowne Place Mall in Peterborough on Thursday, June 2 from 10:00am to 6:00pm and will have the Pfizer vaccine available for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and booster doses for adults and youth aged 12 and up, as well as the pediatric Pfizer vaccine available for children aged 5-11.

Residents are also encouraged to reach out to local participating pharmacies to book an appointment for their COVID-19 vaccine during this week.

Residents can still receive a COVID-19 vaccine from participating pharmacies. Pharmacy locations can be found on the provincial webpage at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Offering Fast Pass Screening Options For Patients And Essential Caregivers

Beginning Wednesday, Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will offer a fast pass screening option for patients and essential caregivers at both the main entrance and the Emergency Department (ED) entrance.

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Upon arrival, those who have completed the screening tool will be asked to show their pass on either a device screen or in printed form to enter the hospital building.

The regular screening process will continue to be offered for those who do not complete the fast pass process. All patients and caregivers are strongly encouraged to use the fast pass tool to expedite their entry into the hospital.

All patients and caregivers continue to be required to wear a hospital-provided, medical-grade mask at all times when inside the Health Centre, except in the designated area of the cafeteria, where masks may be removed to eat or drink.

A new, after-hours screening process will also begin at the hospital’s main entrance only on Monday. Between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., anyone requesting access through this entrance must use the buzzer to contact Security and be screened before they are permitted to enter the building.

The ED entrance will continue to be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with fast pass and regular screening available. This entrance is reserved for patients/caregivers who are coming to the ED or to Labour & Delivery.

The pre-screening tool is available online at prhcscreening.ca and can be completed anytime within the 24 hours before the patient or caregiver comes to the hospital.

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Peterborough Public Health Makes Fifth Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Available For Immunocompromised Residents

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has made a second COVID-19 booster dose available for immunocompromised or on immunosuppressive medication and received a three dose primary series announced Friday.

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Anyone who is 60 years of age or older or considered First Nation, Inuit, Metis and their non-Indigenous household members who are 18 years of age or older is eligible.

“Residents who are immunocompromised due to health condition or medication may experience a reduced immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine,”said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “This immunity can be further reduced due to age or other health circumstances. Therefore, a second booster or fifth dose is recommended to enhance the immune response and provide better protection against COVID-19 for these residents.”

Residents who fit into this category will need to speak with their healthcare provider to confirm their eligibility and receive a referral form before attending a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

Residents who are eligible based on health status can bring their referral form to receive their dose at any Peterborough Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic.

PPH has developed a COVID-19 Immunization Schedule to assist residents in keeping up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.

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Fourcast Invites Community Members To Join Committee For New Consumption And Treatment Services Site

Fourcast has announced the formation of a new Community Liaison Committee (CLC) for the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) Site at 220 Simcoe Street.

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Once established, the CLC will foster and maintain positive relationships between local stakeholders and Fourcast, the agency that is operating the CTS. It will also provide a formal mechanism for members to collaboratively and respectfully resolve concerns, while raising awareness about the impact of the service in the community.

The committee will give neighbours, nearby businesses, and service providers an opportunity to contribute to the success of this life-saving service, says Forecast.

The application process for the committee is open now.

Fourcast Executive Director Donna Rogers emphasized the importance of engaging community members in the work of preventing drug poisoning deaths and related harms.

“Like any harm reduction initiative, the CTS has a role to play in promoting the health and safety of individuals and the community as a whole,” said Rogers. “As we respond to the devastating impact of the drug poisoning crisis in our region, it is vitally important that we continue to keep our neighbours informed and engaged in collaborative efforts to make our community a safe and inclusive place for all.”

The CLC will meet quarterly or as needed beginning in June 2022 and will continue to meet for a one year term ending in June 2023. Membership will include up to 17 individuals from neighbouring businesses, nearby residents, and service providers in addition to an independent process facilitator and notetaker.

Individuals interested in volunteering with the newly created Community Liaison Committee are encouraged to complete an application at https://forms.office.com/r/GzUhhzkJQn. Applications will be accepted until May 20.

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PRHC Awarded Highest Possible Standing By Accreditation Canada

Accreditation Canada has issued its formal decision letter congratulating Peterborough Regional Health Centre for achieving Accreditation with Exemplary Standing – the highest possible designation for an accredited organization, on Thursday.

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This is the second consecutive time PRHC has been awarded with this distinction.

Every four years, a team of Accreditation Canada surveyors are invited to PRHC to evaluate more than 2,700 standards based on quality, safety and efficiency. Based on a site visit in early April, Accreditation Canada has advised that PRHC met or exceeded 98.6 per cent of these standards, the hospitals highest ever score.

The Accreditation Canada website describes the Exemplary Standing designation as being awarded to “organizations that go beyond Accreditation Canada’s requirements and demonstrate excellence in quality improvement.”

“This achievement can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of each and every healthcare professional, employee and volunteer at PRHC,” said Dr. Peter McLaughlin, President & CEO. “This year, we have been faced with challenges unlike anything we have seen before. And yet throughout our on-site survey, our healthcare workers continued to demonstrate all of the qualities that make them such a remarkable team of hardworking people who are committed to providing excellent patient care and support.”

The on-site Accreditation survey team specifically commended PRHC for preparing for and participating in the Accreditation program during a global pandemic, as well as:

• Having a committed, engaged, and knowledgeable Board of Directors, strong leadership with a patient-focused, collaborative approach to care, and healthcare professionals, staff and volunteers who are engaged in quality improvement and proud of the care and service they provide.

• Ongoing engagement with our Patient Experience Steering Committee; their expertise and insights ensure that the patient voice continues to be at the forefront of our discussions and decision-making.

• Promoting a comprehensive Seniors’ Care Strategy and working with community partners to bring about affordable seniors’ housing; an initiative that has been recognized and awarded by the Ontario Hospital Association.

• Collaborative relationships with our community and healthcare partners.

• The implementation of a new, regional clinical information system, which has introduced additional communication tools for serving patients.

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Dr. Thomas Piggott Unites With Two Other Ontario Public Heath Agencies And Urges Ontario's Chief Medical Officer To Reinstate Mask Requirements

Dr. Thomas Piggott from Peterborough Public Health has united with two other Ontario public health agencies to send a letter to Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health sharing concern with continued high disease activity, for a temporary province-wide masking mandate to bring down sixth wave transmission.

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“COVID-19 risk continues, and masking remains a key strategy to protect yourself and others,” said Piggott. “I strongly recommend continuing to wear your mask, and with colleagues am asking the Chief Medical Officer of Health to consider broadening the temporary mask requirement to protect our communities.”

The letter, sent to Dr. Kieran moore, awas signed by Dr. Piggott, Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Medical Officer of Health & Commissioner (Acting), Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services and Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

In the letter suggests that Ontario temporarily broadens the mask requirements in Ontario to include indoor public spaces such as workplaces, schools, college and universities, as well as essential service settings (such as grocery stores and pharmacies).

They reference the Ontario Science Table, that has recently reported persistently high amounts of COVID-19 in the wastewater, as a key marker of transmission.

They also note that in each respective region, hospitalizations have either remained steady, or increased since the last wave.

“The return of masking could help protect those with inequities and vulnerabilities, relieve the pressures on our hospitals, and most importantly protect the health of the people we serve,” the three note.

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PRHC President And CEO Dr. Peter McLaughlin To Retire After 50 Year Career In Healthcare

The Board of Directors of Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) announced on Wednesday that Dr. Peter McLaughlin has decided to retire in 2023 after 17 years with PRHC, during the last eight of which he has served as the hospital’s President and CEO.

Dr. Peter McLaughlin. Photo courtesy of PRHC.

“The board is so grateful for Peter’s leadership, first as Chief of Staff and most recently as President & CEO of PRHC,” said Louis O’Brien, Chair of PRHC’s Board of Directors. “He has been an exceptional leader, and we are thankful for his vision and his commitment to providing the best possible care and support for our patients and community. His thoughtful, steady and compassionate leadership style has earned him a great deal of respect, and he will be deeply missed.”

During his tenure as President & CEO, PRHC has faced significant challenges and achieved many successes, including:

• Highest possible standing from Accreditation Canada in 2017

• An award for Leading Governance Excellence from the Ontario Hospital Association in recognition of

PRHC’s collaboration with Peterborough Housing Corporation to develop supportive, affordable housing for seniors

• National recognition by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) for work in safe handover and clinical cultural competence initiatives

• International recognition by the National Safety Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for surgical safety standards

• Successful implementation of Epic, a new, regional clinical information system that will transform the way PRHC and its partner hospitals deliver care for generations to come

• Supporting the organization through the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Incorporating patient and family engagement into all levels of the hospital’s work and decision-making

• Creating a culture of continuous quality improvement, with a focus on patient and staff safety

• Providing leadership in the creation and continued growth of Peterborough Ontario Health Team

• Fostering more collaborative relationships with partners in the community and across the region

“It has been an absolute privilege to lead this team of dedicated people, who have worked so tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care to the people of our community and region, often in the face of incredible challenges,” said Dr. McLaughlin. “I am profoundly appreciative of the incredible support I have received over the years from our Board of Directors, the hospital’s leadership team, our healthcare workers, our community partners, the PRHC Foundation, our volunteers, and everyone else who has helped to shape healthcare in Peterborough and the surrounding region.”

The Board of Directors has struck a search committee and selected an external firm, Boyden Canada, to support a national search for a new President and CEO. Additional details will be shared in the weeks ahead.

Dr. McLaughlin has agreed to continue in his role until a successful candidate is selected, with a goal of retiring on or around May 31, 2023.

Plans to honour Dr. McLaughlin will be shared closer to his retirement date.

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