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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CMHA Mobile Wellness Clinic Seeking Parking Space in Northumberland or Peterborough

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) is seeking a parking space for its Road Ahead Mobile Wellness Clinic vehicle in Northumberland or Peterborough overnight and on weekends.

Launched earlier this year, it saids individuals who may have difficulty accessing supports by bringing a full range of mental health and addictions services to rural and remote areas across the Four Counties according to a press release. The program provides counselling and therapy, support with addictions and substance use, mental health education, medication support, and access to other services such as psychiatry.

CMHA HKPR is seeking a parking option that:

• Is located in a bay or locked building

• Has the space for a vehicle that is 37 ft L by 12 ft H and 13 ft W

• Is heated (above freezing)

• Includes a safe space for up to three staff vehicles to park while the clinic is on the road

• Includes access to the bay or building by 8:30 a.m. 7 days a week

• Is centrally located to serve Peterborough and Northumberland

Anyone knowing a landlord or a vacant commercial parking space in the Peterborough or Northumberland area is asked to contact Jeff Cadence, manager of The Road Ahead at jcadence@cmhahkpr.ca.

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Peterborough Petes Celebrating Local Hockey Moms For 14th Annual Pink In The Rink Campaign

The Peterborough Petes 14th-annual Pink in the Rink game celebrates and honours hockey moms afflicted by cancer and will be played on Feb. 4 against the Oshawa Generals announced at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) on Wednesday.

Members of PRHC and the Peterborough Petes players and staff outside the PRHC on a rainy morning. Last year raised $76,952.18 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000. Proceeds go toward cancer care at (PRHC). Lesley Heighway, PRHC Foundation president and CEO says that with cancer volumes on the rise, donors are essential to the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, support earlier diagnosis and ensure safer, more effective treatments, close to home.

“The number of patients from Peterborough and the surrounding area who rely on PRHC to support their cancer journey continues to climb,” she said. “It’s events like Pink in the Rink and organizations like the Peterborough Petes – along with the people and businesses who support them –  that fund the tools our experts need to save and improve lives.”

Leading up to the game, the Petes are accepting nominations of local hockey moms to be honoured leading up to and during the game. 

This is a spin on prior years as annual chairs were selected to spearhead the campaign.

“With the honourary chair model that we used to use, it would be a little bit burdensome on those people,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “They had lives, they were trying to manage day-to-day, probably still dealing with their cancer journey and on top of that, we were saying 'raise a bunch of money for us, would you?'“

The Petes are accepting orders to purchase a name (up to 200) to be printed on one of their Pink in the Rink game-worn jersey for $20. The Petes will unveil a special jersey with the purchased names at a future date.

Fans can also buy a special edition custom Pink in the Rink t-shirt with any name on the back and donate tickets to cancer survivors or volunteers to attend the game. A live auction will take place after the game to bid on game-worn jerseys.

The Pets have raised $900,000 over the past 13 years as they are closing in on their $1 million milestone. 

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital Introduces New Chief of Staff

Dr. Dimitri Louvish is the new chief of staff of Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) after its Board of Directors announced the decision on Friday.

Dr. Louvish brings more than 17 years of medical leadership experience. Photo courtesy of Campbellford Memorial Hospital.

“Dr. Louvish’s invaluable combination of experience in rural medicine and healthcare leadership and administration is an incredible benefit for CMH,” said Kevin Huestis, Chair, Board of Directors, . “During this challenging time in health care, Dr. Louvish’s leadership will be instrumental in delivering exemplary care and outcomes for our community.”

Louvish is responsible for chairing the Medical Advisory Committee and providing physician leadership and oversight for the quality of care and services according to a press release. He is also joining the CMH’s medical staff team responsible for supporting the 24/7 Emergency Department. 

“It is an honour to be appointed Chief of Staff at CMH, and I look forward to collaborating with the leadership and physician teams to improve the quality of care and access to services for the community,” said Louvish.

Dr. Louvish completed his medical degree at McGill University in 2002. He has worked in urban and rural locations and gained extensive expertise in general and emergency medicine, public health, occupational medicine, sports medicine, musculoskeletal disorders, mental health and addictions and chronic pain management. He is also an examiner with the College Family Physicians of Canada, a peer assessor and physician member of the Disciplinary and Preliminary Inquiry Committee, and a physician member at the Consent and Capacity Board, Ontario Ministry of Health.  

Louvish is continuing his physician practice in Richmond Hill while serving his role at CMH. He took over the role from Dr. Eshay Elia, interim chief of staff after Dr. Bruce Bain retired in July last year.

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PRHC Reminds Public of Being Open 24/7 Amid Surging Patient Volumes

Despite patient volumes surging in hospitals across Ontario, the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is reminding the public that it continues to operate 24/7 to provide life-saving care and support announced on Wednesday.

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PRHC says they have been experiencing extremely high patient volumes – both adult and pediatric – and higher patient acuity. This is combined with ongoing staffing shortages and seasonal surges as colder weather moves in according to the PRHC. They are seeing a high number of pediatric patients with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) specifically.

Anyone visiting the emergency department (ED) should expect longer-than-usual wait times aside from the most serious illnesses and conditions. Anyone considering coming to the ED is asked to assess online if their situation is an emergency or not:

• Individuals who are registered with a family physician/practitioner should seek non-urgent care through their office before coming to the hospital.

• Health Connect Ontario is a free, confidential service that is available by calling 811 or visiting the website. This service will replace Telehealth Ontario and provides 24/7 access to non-urgent health advice and information.

PRHC also says that pediatric hospitals across the province are cancelling surgeries as their ICUs continue to operate above capacity. They are ready to respond to direction from Ontario’s Critical Care COVID-19 Command Centre in order to support the healthcare system response to this surge of patients under the age of 18.

PRHC encourage parents to access these helpful resources to support them in taking care of their children as the shortage of pediatric acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) products continues:

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

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

Masks remain mandatory to access PRHC and anyone will be provided medical-grade masks at the main entrance and the Emergency Department entrance if needed.

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Water Sample Courier Service Paused for the Winter

Peterborough Public Health (PPH), the Municipality of Trent Lakes and the Township of North Kawartha have paused their joint well water sample drop-off program for the winter announced on Tuesday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The final date for county residents to drop off their samples to the North Kawartha Municipal Office and the Trent Lakes Municipal Office is Nov. 24.

The free well water sample drop-off service returns on first week of April. During the winter months, residents can continue to drop off their samples at the following locations:

• Peterborough Public Health, 185 King St., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Fridays

• Public Health Ontario Laboratory, 99 Hospital Dr., Peterborough, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

• Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Township Office, 1 Ottawa St., Havelock between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

“Even when the ground is frozen, contamination may be present. Sampling water from your well is the best way to ensure that the water is free of pathogens, which can cause illness if consumed,” said Chris Eaton, public health inspector from PPH. “We look forward to resuming our courier service with the municipalities in the spring to ensure ease for residents when submitting well water for testing.”

Well water samples are tested for two types of bacterial contamination: total coliforms and E. coli which indicates the water has been contaminated with fecal material, which can contain disease-causing microbes. These can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Anyone can become ill if they consume contaminated water but the young, elderly, and immuno-compromised are at a higher risk.

After samples are submitted, residents will receive water quality results by mail or they can call Public Health Ontario’s Interactive Voice Response at 1-877-723-3426.

For interpretation of the test results, or to find out how to test for contaminants other than total coliforms or E. coli, please call Peterborough Public Health’s Safe Water Program at 705-743-1000, ext. 232 or visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.

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