Campbellford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Closed Until 7 P.M. Wednesday Due To An Unexpected Physician Shortage

The Emergency Department at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is temporarily closed until 7 p.m. on Wednesday due to an unexpected physician shortage.

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The announcement was made on Wednesday morning. Patients requiring Emergency Care during this time are advised to call 911 or to attend the closest hospital that offers emergency services: 

• Northumberland Hills Hospital, 1000 DePalma Dr., Cobourg

• Quinte Healthcare Corporation - Trenton Memorial Hospital, 242 King St., Trenton

• Quinte Healthcare Corporation - Belleville General Hospital, 265 Dundas Street E., Belleville

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre, 1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough.

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Reopened After Being Temporarily Closed From Staff Shortages

The Emergency Department at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) which was closed on Christmas due to a nursing staff shortage has now reopened announced on Monday.

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The hospital has stated that it is operating well beyond its capacity and closures of this nature put additional strain on an already strained system.

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Hometown PTBO: Dr. Lynn Mikula Becoming the New PRHC President and CEO and Her Medical Career in Peterborough

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with PRHC CEO and president Dr. Lynn Mikula about her Peterborough medical career after coming in 2011, her family's sports background, her favourite food spots and recent promotion at PRHC.

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Emergency Department to Close Temporarily on Christmas Day

The Emergency Department at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) will be temporarily closed from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day (Sunday) due to a nursing staff shortage.

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A contingency plan has been implemented to deal with this temporary closure to ensure the impact on patient care is as minimal as possible. EMS and other emergency services are aware of the temporary closure and during these hours ambulances will take patients directly to the closest area hospital that offers emergency medical services.

“While every effort was made to keep the ED open, including reaching out to our regional partners, the ongoing Province-wide shortage of health human resources continues to put a strain on healthcare operations throughout our region,” said CMH in a press release.

Patients requiring Emergency Care during this time are advised to call 911 or to attend the closest hospital that offers emergency services:

• Northumberland Hills Hospital, 1000 DePalma Dr., Cobourg

• Quinte Healthcare Corporation - Trenton Memorial Hospital, 242 King St., Trenton

• Quinte Healthcare Corporation - Belleville General Hospital, 265 Dundas St. E., Belleville

• Peterborough Regional Health Centre, 1 Hospital Dr., Peterborough

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Peterborough Public Health Offering Alternative Healthcare Tips During Surge Season

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is advising the community to consider alternative healthcare options before coming into the Emergency Department (ED) during the surge season announced on Wednesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) continues to experience extremely high patient volumes – both adult and pediatric – as well as higher patient acuity and ongoing staffing shortages. Individuals who come to the ED for care should expect to wait longer than usual to be seen for all but the most serious illnesses and conditions.  

Community members are urged by PPH to consider alternative options for healthcare before making a trip to the ED: 

Primary care 

If you are registered with a family physician or nurse practitioner, please contact them first. Same-day access instructions will be offered via the office voicemail message. 

Throughout the surge season, the Peterborough Family Health team (PFHT) offers extended hours to serve patients with non-urgent concerns. Learn more about extended holiday coverage for each clinic here: https://www.peterboroughfht.com/extended-hours-service 

PRHC’s COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic 

Previously called the COVID-19 Assessment Centre, this clinic has expanded to include assessment, testing and treatment for patients with symptoms of COVID, cold and flu, providing a faster, more convenient option for patients to be seen by a physician. Regular clinic hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and weekends from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The clinic is closed on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1). 

Health Connect Ontario 

Speak with a nurse day or night about any non-urgent health concerns by calling 811. This is a free, confidential service that is available 24/7.  

Alternative care options 

Consider this list of alternative options for healthcare in our community, including walk-in clinics and virtual clinics, before making a trip to the ED. 

Pediatric care resources 

If you are caring for a child with respiratory symptoms, please refer to these ressources: 

• https://www.ontariofamilyphysicians.ca/files/ocfp_actionsparentscantake.pdf

• https://www.pharmacists.ca/advocacy/issues/drug-shortages/childrens-medication-shortage/

The flu shot is free and widely available at many local pharmacies and your doctor’s office. Call your doctor to make an appointment for a flu shot for yourself or a member of your family and ask about your doctor’s flu clinic schedule. Community members can easily find out where the flu shot is available by visiting: http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/flu. Additional tips and information are available at www.ontario.ca/flu. 

Residents are advised to use PPH’s COVID-19 and Respiratory Virus Risk Index and Guidance over the holidays. PPH continues to host mass COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Eligibility criteria and the clinic calendar can be found at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/covid-19-vaccine-clinic/. Appointments can be booked via the provincial vaccine booking centre call line at 1-833-943-3900 or online at covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine. Walk-ins will be accepted at this time. 

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Holiday Hours for Peterborough Public Health Announced

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) notes that office hours will be adjusted for the holiday season, with some closures.

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PPH will be closed over the holidays at the following times:

• Dec. 23 at noon to Dec. 27

• Dec. 30 at noon to Jan. 2

PPH will resume regular hours on Jan. 3.

The after-hours line will be available for public health emergencies at 705-743-1000.

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Warning After Increase in Suspected Drug Poisonings

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has issued a warning following an increase in suspected drug poisonings over the weekend, announced on Monday.

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PPH detected a higher-than-usual number of drug-related Emergency Department Visits on Sunday. Four drug-related poisonings were treated by the emergency department as reported by the PPH. They presume to be the result of a product that may contain benzodiazepines. A benzodiazepine-related overdose may last for hours and make it hard to wake up an individual. These reports have prompted PPH to issue a public warning to help prevent further harms to the community.

Peterborough Public Health is reminding the public that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances. Beware that using even a small amount of drug can be fatal.

Give naloxone if you suspect an individual is experiencing drug poisoning. This may improve breathing but may not help the individual regain consciousness. Call 911 and continue to monitor breathing until medical help arrives.

If you use drugs, PPH recommends that you:

• Don’t use drugs alone. Visit the Consumption Treatment Services site at 220 Simcoe St., open 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., days a week.

• If using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.

• Have a plan – Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.

• Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.

• Avoid mixing drugs.

• Test your drug by using a small amount first.

• Call 911 immediately if someone cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.

PPH has released a list of signs of an opioid overdose and what to do in case of one:

• Skin is cold and clammy

• Fingernails or lips are blue or purple

• Body is very limp

• Can’t wake the person up

• Deep snoring or gurgling sounds

• Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped

• Pupils are very small

• If an overdose is witnessed: Call 911. Give naloxone. Continue to check for breathing. Stay with the person until help arrives.

• Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.

Residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions using the ‘Drug Reporting Tool’.

Any information shared through the tool supports PPH and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough area.

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PRHC Expands COVID Assessment Centre Services Amid Ontario-Wide Respiratory Illness Surge

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has expanded services at its COVID-19 Assessment Centre to include cold and flu symptom testing and treatment announced Wednesday.

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The expansion comes after PRHC expresses seeing a surge in respiratory illnesses across the province.

Services at the COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic have expanded to include assessment, testing and treatment for patients with symptoms of COVID-19, cold and flu, including:

• Fever or chills

• Sore throat

• Difficulty breathing

• Decreased or loss of taste or smell

• Runny nose or nasal congestion

• Headache

• Extreme tiredness

• Cough (not related to other causes such as allergies)

• Muscle aches or joint pain

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)

• Abdominal pain (not related to other causes)

• Pink eye (not related to other causes)

The clinic provides a “faster, more convenient option for patients with COVID, cold and flu symptoms to be seen by a physician, helping to alleviate some of the pressures currently being felt in the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED),” according to a press release.

They urge you to make an appointment at the clinic if:

• You do not have a primary care provider.

• Your symptoms or your child’s symptoms are getting worse or are not improving, and you feel that
  you need medical care. Children must be aged one year or older to be seen at the clinic.

• You have been told by a health professional to go to the COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic.

• You are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and you qualify for testing and treatment.

Patients must be one year of age or older, and walk-in appointments will not be accepted.

PRHC is reminding patients that masking continues to be required for anyone coming to the hospital, including the COVID, Cold and Flu clinic and is strongly encouraged in the community to protect all vulnerable people from the spread of illness. PRHC provides medical-grade masks for all patients and visitors.

Appointments can be made at the COVID, Cold and Flu Clinic by calling 705-876-5086.

Peterborough Public Health Issues Alert After Increase In Suspected Drug Poisonings

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has issued a warning after an increase in suspected drug poisonings on Monday.

File Photo.

On Saturday, PPH received reports of a bad batch of drugs circulating in Peterborough and Peterborough County. PPH suspects to be the result of an opiate product that is purple in colour and has an increased level of toxicity. They have issued a public warning in the hopes of preventing further harm to the community as a result of these reports.

PPH reminds the public that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances. Even small amounts of a tainted drug can be fatal.

If you use drugs, PPH recommends that you:

• Don’t use drugs alone. Visit the Consumption Treatment Services site at 220 Simcoe St., open 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., days a week.

• If using with a friend, do not use at the exact same time.

• Have a plan – Ask someone to check on you or call the National Overdose Response Service 1-888-688-6677.

• Carry a naloxone kit. Keep it visible and close by.

• Avoid mixing drugs.

• Test your drug by using a small amount first.

• Call 911 immediately if someone cannot be resuscitated after naloxone is administered.

PPH has released a list of signs of an opioid overdose and what to do in case of one:

• Skin is cold and clammy

• Fingernails or lips are blue or purple

• Body is very limp

• Can’t wake the person up

• Deep snoring or gurgling sounds

• Breathing is very slow, erratic or has stopped

• Pupils are very small

• If an overdose is witnessed: Call 911. Give naloxone. Continue to check for breathing. Stay with the person until help arrives.

• Under Canada’s Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, anyone who seeks medical help for themselves or for someone else who has overdosed, WILL NOT be charged for possessing or using drugs for personal use.

Residents can anonymously report drug poisonings and other bad drug reactions using the ‘Drug Reporting Tool’.

Any information shared through the tool supports PPH and community partners in responding to and preventing drug poisonings in the Peterborough area.

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