Peterborough Regional Health Centre Seeking New Board of Director Members

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is seeking individuals to become members of the Board of Directors announced on their website on Monday.

File Photo.

The Board Members are seeking members who are the following:

• reside in one of the four counties of Peterborough, Northumberland, Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes

• reflect the diversity of their changing community

• can bring volunteer Board experience and business/professional skills to our governance processes.

Duties of Board Members include:

• Governing the affairs of PRHC in line with best practices in the sector

• Advancing PRHC’s vision, mission and values

• Valuing and embracing anti-oppression, anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion practices and principles within its governance processes

• Committing to continuously building a truly inclusive and safe organization at every level

• Supporting the implementation of the 2024-2027 Strategic plan and ensuring that all decisions are made in accordance with the Plan

• Reviewing and approving PRHC’s Annual Operating Plan

• Provide oversight to quality of care

• Fosters regional relationships needed for seamless care

All applications are welcome, particularly from anyone with a background in clinical (professional staff and allied health included), human resources, patient/family experience, construction/facility management and quality of care according to the PRHC.

Applications and resumes are due by Feb. 17 and can be sent to the Chair, Nominating Sub-Committee, c/o Margaret Clark, Senior Executive Assistant, Administration, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, One Hospital Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7C6 or email mclark@prhc.on.ca

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Wild Rock Outfitters and Kawartha Nordic Ski-Relay Raises Over $16,000 For CMHA HKPR’s Garden Homes Project

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) announces that the Ski-Relay hosted by Wild Rock Outfitters, Kawartha Nordic and Ashburnham Ale House has raised $16,800 for CMHA HKPR’s Garden Homes Project.

photo courtesy of cmha hkpr.

The Ski-Relay, which took place on Jan. 22 at Kawartha Nordic Ski Club, included 11 teams and 40 skiers and donors. The funds from the relay will go towards supporting CMHA HKPR’s Garden Homes Project through the Supportive Housing program. The Garden Homes project aims to support vulnerable individuals who are at risk of homelessness in the Peterborough area by providing affordable, small homes.

Through the project, CMHA HKPR will be creating small, custom-built housing for individuals or small families within Peterborough. This project is one of the first of its kind in the region and CMHA HKPR says they hope to pave the way for similar projects and more affordable housing in the future.

“The funds raised through the Ski-Relay will go a long way in helping us launch the Garden Homes Project,” says Mark Graham, chief executive officer at CMHA HKPR. “Thanks to this fundraiser, we have now reached our fundraising target and are able to purchase the first Garden Home.”

For more information on CMHA HKPR’s Garden Homes Project, check out the website.

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Ontario Announces $13 Million Investment For Infrastructure Improvements and Other Expenses at Campbellford Memorial Hospital

MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South David Piccini, along with officials at Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) have announced Thursday that the province is providing more than $13 million for infrastructure improvements to the hospital.

file photo.

This investment is said to help the hospital significantly through upgrades to their HVAC system, replacing their aging generator and continuing with facility improvements designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

HVAC work includes replacing air handling units, improving ductwork, air filtration and ventilation systems, as well as upgrading the air distribution system and installing an automated building control system. These upgrades will reportedly reduce CMH's yearly natural gas consumption by 10,000 cubic metres, and lower its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 19 tons annually.

"As we make progress on securing a new hospital in Campbellford, it is vital that we ensure those in our community receive safe, high quality medical care," said MPP Piccini. "This critical infrastructure investment will ensure that patients at Campbellford Memorial continue to receive the right care they need, when they need it."

These investments mark a series of improvements that CMH has undertaken over the past 12 months, including the installation of a new nurse call system, renovations in the kitchen and cafeteria and the purchase of new state of the art diagnostic equipment such as a bladder scanner and digital slit lamp.

CMH has also earned "Accredited with Exemplary Standing" status from Accreditation Canada following their accreditation review last month. Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that conducts reviews of health organizations around the world and sets standards for safety and quality in healthcare. Accreditation for Exemplary standing is awarded to an organization that attains the highest level of performance, achieving excellence in meeting the requirements of the program.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and confirmation that we have appropriate procedures and plans in place to provide high-quality care to our community," stated CMH CEO Eric Hanna. “(The) investment will allow us to purchase a new, state of the art generator, as well as upgrade our emergency power distribution, to ensure that when the power goes out; our ability to provide high quality patient care is not impeded.”

The funding is to be broken down as follows: $9,639,900 will go towards CMH as one-time capital funding to address the HVAC and generator, $1,874,929 for reimbursement of CMH's COVID-19 related capital expenses, $771,797 in COVID-19 incremental operating funding, up to $600,000 in one-time funding to support the hospital's in-year financial and operating pressures, $163,600 in pandemic prevention and containment funding, $81,132 through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and $46,884 in health human resources funding.

For more information on the Campbellford Memorial Hospital and this investment, visit the website.

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Peterborough Public Health Extends January 26 Drug Poisoning Alert

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is extending the Jan. 26 drug poisoning alert after reporting an increase in drug poisonings announced Monday.

file photo.

From Jan. 25 to Jan. 29 PPH detected high numbers of drug poisonings that occurred in Peterborough City and County.

A total of 18 drug-related poisonings were responded to by 911 first responders. These products have an increased level of toxicity, and may be cut or mixed with another substance where even a small dose can be fatal.

Public health reminds the community to give naloxone if you suspect an individual is experiencing drug poisoning, and call 911 as you continue to monitor their breathing until medical help arrives.

PPH has released a list of signs of an opioid overdose:

• 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

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.

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

If you partake in drug use, PPH recommends that you:

• Don’t use drugs alone. Visit the Consumption Treatment Services site (220 Simcoe St. from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

• 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

• 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 continues to monitor drug-related data and urge members of the community to take precautions. For more information, or to find out how to access naloxone, visit the public health website.

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Fleming College Paramedic Students Taking the Plunge for Campbellford Memorial Hospital

Six polar-plunging paramedic students are getting ready to take part in the icy Lake Ontario dip in support of the Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) announced Wednesday.  

Photo courtesy of Fleming College Facebook.

Danielle Balvert, Sam Joyce, Hannah Carson, Stephan Nguyen-Duong, Theo Guenther and Taiya Martin are the Fleming students taking part in this year’s 31st annual Polar Plunge. The team has already raised $697 to support the hospital.

These students are passionate about community involvement and hope to raise money to help fund new equipment for CMH to help improve patient care and experience. 

The plunge takes place at the Lion’s Club Park in Campbellford on Jan. 28 at noon.  

Donate and support the students and CMH here.  

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The Government of Ontario Investing $60,000 in Hospice Norwood

New funding from the Government of Ontario is set to make a big difference for programming at Hospice Norwood.

photo courtesy of hospice norwood.

The funding will be used to renovate an accessible bathroom, increase accessibility in the meeting space and hire a Rural Outreach Coordinator to oversee/coordinate community hospice programs.

"We're working hard to expand health care services in rural communities like ours, and this investment will ensure that patients in Norwood receive high quality end-of-life care," said MPP David Piccini. "This additional funding and programming will better enable the hardworking staff and volunteers at Hospice Norwood to leverage Peterborough and deliver better care to our community."

Programming will be focused on people living with a palliative diagnosis, caregivers of people living with a palliative diagnosis and people experiencing grief due to the death of a significant person in their life.

Hospice Norwood will be holding a public information meeting at the Norwood Legion on Jan. 31 to update the community on progress Hospice Norwood has made in the past year and introduce the new Rural Outreach Coordinator.

Intake for programs will occur through Hospice Peterborough and those interested in the programming can contact Intake Coordinators Amy and Lisa at 705-742-4042 × 251.

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Welcomes New Internal Medicine Specialist

After a near-year-long search, Dr. Daanish Chippa has become the new internist and hospitalist for Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) announced on Monday.

Dr. Chippa completed an internal medicine residency at Detroit Medical Center and a geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Buffalo. Before starting with CMH. He worked in internal and hospital medicine at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, New Hampshire. Photo courtesy of the Campbellford Memorial Centre.

“Physician recruitment has been a key priority for CMH, and we are delighted to have Dr. Chippa join our physician team,” said Eric Hanna, CEH CEO and interim president. “Dr. Chippa brings internal medicine and hospitalist experience coupled with a patient-focused approach that is an excellent complement to the team and a great win for our patients and community.”

Dr. Chippa left his hometown Toronto in 2011 to start becoming a physician. He completed medical school at the Medical University of the Americas and moved throughout the United States for his training rotations, residency, fellowship, and staff positions.

“It was a challenge to be away from home, and after a long, hard journey, I am so pleased to be back in Canada and to have the opportunity to work with the Campbellford Memorial Hospital team,” shared Dr. Chippa, who started at CMH in December 2022. “The team has been welcoming and helpful, and I’m impressed with the collaborative approach to providing patient-centred care.”

Dr. Chippa is one of CMH’s hospitalists providing direct care to the admitted patients in the Inpatient Unit and offers internal medicine consultations to other CMH physicians when required according to a press release. He also is leading a new Discharge Clinic at CMH that will provide follow-up care and assessments for patients after they are discharged from the Inpatient Unit (mainly focusing on older adults who may not have a primary care provider).

“Part of my interest in CMH is that it’s a smaller hospital serving many geriatric patients. This allows me to cover all areas of medicine while also leveraging my internal medicine specialty and building on my geriatric medicine experience – I knew it would be a good fit,” said Dr. Chippa.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Chippa to CMH. These are the rewarding moments in physician recruitment, from initial contact to assisting with the licensing process to welcoming him on-site,” said Michele Haddow, CMH medical affairs coordinator. “Dr. Chippa will be an asset to our staff and the community, and I am thrilled that our hard work has now come together.”

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Local Service Clubs Launch ‘We Can’t Wait’ Campaign for Campbellford Memorial Hospital Redevelopment

Various local service clubs have launched the ‘We Can’t Wait’ campaign, supporting the redevelopment of the Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) as part of a larger Campus of Care.

In Oct. 2021, Campbellford Memorial Hospital announced that local farmer Jim Curle had donated nearly 50 acres of land for the proposed redevelopment of the hospital. Photo courtesy of Campbellford memorial hospital.

In addition to a new hospital, the proposed development will also contain a new Long-Term Care home, a Community Mental Health Clinic, the Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network and future plans for supportive senior housing.

With various plans to build a new hospital talked about for decades and formal negotiations with the Province nearing the ten-year mark, executive director of the Campbellford Memorial Hospital Foundation John Russell has seen his share of starts and stops when it comes to redevelopment in his ten years with CMH.

“It really feels different this time. We have the land secured, we have partnerships in place, a local Long-Term Care home ready to redevelop alongside us, and even leadership donors who are beginning to indicate their financial support,” said Russell. “Local governments across the region have expressed their support, we’ve really never been this prepared to move to the next step.”

That next step, CMH says, involves securing a planning grant and the Provincial Government’s approval to move the project forward. Although the approval will not only provide the funds required to plan and design the new facility, it will provide the needed regulatory authorization.

“Simply put, we’ve gone as far as we can without that planning grant,” Russell continued.

photo courtesy of CMH.

Lawn signs in support of CMH can be seen throughout Trent Hills and the Kawarthas, directing residents to visit the CMH website to learn how they can help support the redevelopment process and join the We Can’t Wait campaign.

“We’ve always been huge supporters of the hospital,” said president of the Rotary Club of Campbellford Dave Sharp. “We wanted to find a way to help and right now what we need most is to show the Provincial Government that our community is behind this project one hundred percent.”

Sharp and the Campbellford Rotary Club are one of the local service clubs behind the We Can’t Wait campaign.

This sentiment was echoed by president of the Campbellford Lions Club Don May. The Lions have also shown their support behind the campaign.

“We wanted to do what we could to support this project. The proposed redevelopment will be a huge benefit to our community and everyone who lives here,” said May. “Our population continues to grow, continues to age, and we need this project approved now.”

Neighbouring Rotary Clubs in Stirling-Rawdon and Brighton are also supporting the campaign, and CMH says We Can’t Wait signs will soon start popping up in those communities.

photo courtesy of CMH.

A recent analysis of CMH showed that over the next ten years the hospital will need between $25 and $30 million in renovations and repairs to keep the facility up to current standards, and even if approval of a planning grant comes, it will still take up to seven years until a new facility is ready to open.

Over the past year Public Health has closed admission at the hospital twice during COVID-19 outbreaks as the hospital lacks the infrastructure to maintain private rooms and meet modern outbreak control standards. CMH says certain parts of the facility are 70 years old and as a result lack the accessibility, technology and patient flow designs that would typically be found at newer hospitals.

“It really comes down to one of two things; do you continue to spend money maintaining a limited facility, or do you invest that money to build a modern, state of the art hospital that will be able to recruit top talent and continue to provide the exemplary care our community needs,” explained Russell.

Residents who wish to learn more or get involved with the We Can’t Wait campaign can visit the website.

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Drug Poisoning Warning After Weekend Responses

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

File photo.

There were seven drug-related poisonings were responded to by 911 first responders and the Emergency Department. PPH presumes this is a result of an opioid product that is pink in colour and has an increased level of toxicity according to a press release.

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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Local Pharmacies To Prescribe Free Medication For 13 Common Ailments In New Year

The Ontario Government launched a way for local pharmacists to prescribe free medications to anyone with a health card for 13 medical ailments announced on Thursday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The prescriptions are available as of Sunday.

This service is meant to remove the need for a doctor’s office visit and provide convenience.

“Stopping by your local pharmacy for quick and easy access to treatment for some of your most common ailments increases your access to the care you need closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Expanding the ability of pharmacists to provide care is one more way we’re putting people at the centre of our health care system, making it easier, faster and more convenient to access health care in their community.”

Pharmacists will be able to offer prescriptions for:

• hay fever (allergic rhinitis);

• oral thrush (candidal stomatitis);

• pink eye (conjunctivitis; bacterial, allergic and viral);

• dermatitis (atopic, eczema, allergic and contact);

• menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea);

• acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD));

• hemorrhoids;

• cold sores (herpes labialis);

• impetigo;

• insect bites and hives;

• tick bites (post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent Lyme disease);

• sprains and strains (musculoskeletal); and

• urinary tract infections (UTIs).

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