Hospice Peterborough to Receive $473,000 In Additional Funding Over Two Years For Palliative Care

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The Ontario Government has expanded palliative care services in Peterborough-Kawartha increasing Hospice Peterborough’s funding by $473,000 over the next two years, announced on Wednesday.

MPP DAVE SMITH (LEFT) WITH HAJNI HŐS, HOSPICE PETERBOROUGH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (RIGHT) IN FRONT OF HOSPICE PETERBOROUGH ON LONDON STREET. Ontario is expanding end-of-life care services by adding 23 new hospice beds to the 509 beds already available across the province to connect Ontarians with end-of-life care. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

The funding is part of the Ontario Government’s ‘Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care’ initiative to expand access to palliative care services in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. This increase is part of the provincial government’s $147.4 million investment over three years for palliative care according to MPP Dave Smith.

“Families have expressed their gratitude regarding the service that their loved ones receive,” he said. “This funding will allow Hospice Peterborough to continue the remarkable care for not only patients but for family members as well. This is Part of our government’s commitment to ensure everyone has access to care when and where they need it most.”

“These much-needed funds will cover approximately 80 per cent of our expenses, compared to the previous 60 per cent coverage, for our 10-bed hospice residence which offers 24/7 professional, patient-centred palliative care to those in their last weeks of life,” said Hajni Hős, Hospice Peterborough executive director.

Some of the funding for palliative and end-of-life services across Ontario include:

  • Grief and bereavement support that help families and caregivers who are grieving the loss of a loved one;

  • Advance care planning to help patients and families prepare for future health care decisions; and

  • Perinatal palliative care programs that provide specialized grief, bereavement, and peer support that help parents prepare for the loss of their infant.

“At a time when the healthcare system is under unprecedented strain, both in terms of capacity and a challenging healthcare labour market, these funds make it possible for us to continue to provide the high quality, patient-centred care we have provided for over 30 years,” said Hős.

The investment also provides funding for nursing, personal support and other services delivered to patients at Hospice Peterborough.

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Free Fishing In Ontario For Father's Day Weekend

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For those who want a way to celebrate with their dads, the Ontario Government has permitted free fishing this Father’s Day weekend.

“Fishing is a great family pastime,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “With fishing being free this Father’s Day weekend, it’s a great time to get out on one of Ontario’s lakes or rivers and enjoy this wonderful sport.”

Several species such as yellow perch, carp, northern pike, lake trout and walleye are eligible for this weekend’s fishing. The Ontario Government reminds the public to follow all limits on how many fish you can keep as some waterbodies have exceptions. The Fishing Regulations Summary has a list of limitations for this weekend.

All conservation license catch limits and carry ID issued by the provincial or federal government, showing your name and date of birth are still in effect.

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Ontario Government Funds Over $1.1 Million To Build 12 Addiction Treatment Beds

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The Ontario Government has invested $1,138,800 for 12 addiction treatment beds into Four Counties Addiction Services Team (Fourcast) in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge (CMHA-HKPR) through the Addiction Recovery Fund, announced on Tuesday morning.

Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions (left) with MPP Dave Smith (right) at the CMHA building on George Street. In 2022, 539 individuals attended the emergency department resulting from an overdose, emergency medical services responded to 357 overdose calls and 59 individuals lost their lives to overdoses in Peterborough. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This collaboration will create six residential treatment beds, six residential withdrawal management beds and six-day treatment spaces as a two-year pilot project in a new facility.

The City of Peterborough and the county of Peterborough each contributed $100,000 totalling $1,338,800.

“This is another treatment option for us,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Having the ability to have people from our community go to detox and complete their rehab here, close to home, is one more tool in the toolbox for them. Working towards sobriety is what we need to be doing and this is one of the options for people to use.”

“Treatment and recovery are the key to solving the addiction crisis. This investment in a bed-based residential treatment and withdrawal management program will establish pathways to save countless lives and build up the continuum of care in Peterborough region,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

No site for the facility has been selected but covers CMHA Kawartha, Haliburton and Pine Ridge. This fall is when the facility is projected to be open.

The beds are providing medical supervision and services to patients seeking to detox from substances. Patients will flow to residential treatment beds for up to 35 days. The treatment is being provided in a structured, substance-free, in-house environment.

The program will support participants daily to examine and work on issues related to their substance use. Treatment includes counselling or therapy, as well as psychosocial education and life-skills coaching.

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Ontario Government Invests Over $470,000 For Administered Care Within Long-Term Care Homes

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The Ontario Government has invested $471,728 in two projects in Peterborough-Kawartha to aid seniors with complex medical needs at their long-term care home instead of a hospital, announced on Friday afternoon.

(From left to right) MPP Dave Smith; Nancy Rooney, Fairhaven Executive Director; Tia Nguyen, Fairhaven Vice President and Laura White, Fairhave resident. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Examples of long-term care include seniors with dementia and bariatric care.

The funding is part of a $20 million investment this year in 189 projects province-wide through a new Local Priorities Fund operated by Ontario Health.

The projects funded are as follows:

  • $30,000 to St. Joseph’s at Fleming for the purchase of bariatric equipment to support long-term care home transition;

  • $441,728 to Fairhaven for the purchase of bariatric equipment, minor renovations, and specialized staffing and training to support complex resident care needs while reducing unnecessary hospitalization.

“This investment, tailored to the needs of our community, will provide long-term care residents right here in Peterborough-Kawartha with the specialized supports and services they need,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP.

These projects help residents get care in their long-term care home without having to go to the emergency room or be admitted to the hospital.

The Local Priorities Fund is part of an investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 for specialized services and supports that are helping long-term care residents with complex needs access connected and convenient care in the right place according to a press release.

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

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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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Ontario Government Funding Peterborough Police Over $230,000 To Fight Auto Theft in Peterborough and Lakefield

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The Ontario Government has provided $232,449 to the Peterborough Police Service to fight crime, including auto theft in Peterborough and Lakefield announced on Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Police are using the funds to acquire Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology – a system using cameras that automatically scan licence plates. The system is installed on active-duty police cruisers and alerts officers to stolen or expired plates or plates registered to suspended drivers. The system can also notify officers of missing and wanted persons and vehicles associated with AMBER alerts.

“Investing in the latest technology strengthens the ability of the Peterborough Police to fight crime on our streets. Officers can quickly and more efficiently identify and act against individuals driving illegally, prevent auto theft, and keep our streets safe,” said MPP Dave Smith. “Automated Licence Plate Recognition Technology is yet another tool we’ve equipped our police service with to reduce crime in our community.”

In May, the Onvatio Government funded just under $3 million over three years to strengthen and expand the Peterborough Police Services’ Special Victims Unit. This funding enabled advanced training for officers, improve data collection and hired a major crimes investigator. A $185,505 grant was given to police to purchase and install CCTV technology to improve efforts to combat gun and gang violence in downtown Peterborough.

The Automated Licence Plate Recognition Technology Grant is a one-time grant to help police services strengthen roadside law enforcement efforts and improve public safety across the province.

“This investment further demonstrates our government’s plan to ensure police services across Ontario have the resources and equipment they need to keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “I am confident that this tool will be a tremendous asset to police services and help them combat incidents of auto theft and enhance public safety.”

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Doug Ford Has 'Improved Offer' For CUPE Workers

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the provincial government is ready to stop fighting with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and has an ‘improved offer’ for education workers at the negotiation table at a press conference in Queen’s Park on Tuesday morning.

Screenshot.

Ford declined to speak about what the improved offer was immediately after stating that his government has an offer.

This comes a day after promising to rescind Bill 28 which took away their rights to strike and made it illegal. Ford stated on Monday that he was willing to revoke the bill if CUPE agreed to cease all strike/protest action.

The union agreed to withdraw and is expected to continue negotiations Tuesday morning.

Schools have re-opened for students following a two-day walkout from CUPE workers of roughly 55,000 workers.

CUPE has reportedly been asking for roughly 11.7 per cent wage increase over four years however the latest offer has been around six per cent. Education minister Stephen Leece and MPP Dave Smith have said workers have originally asked for 50 per cent which was deemed ‘unreasonable.’

CUPE can still legally strike but must provide five days’ notice if they wish to do so.

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Ontario Investing Over $450,000 For Hiring Staff to Address Ambulance Offload Times at PRHC

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The Ontario Government is investing $450,683 to support fast ambulance response and turnaround times for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).

Warden J. Murray Jones (left), Chief Randy Mellow (middle) and MPP Dave Smith (right) during Jones’s final days as warden before retiring from a 24-year political tenure. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This is part of the province’s ‘Plan to Stay Open: Health System Stability and Recover’ where $16.1 million is being invested in 20 communities across the province through the Dedicated Offload Nurses Program.

This results in more hired additional nurses and health care workers including paramedics, respiratory therapists and physician assistants, who are dedicated to offloading ambulance patients to receive care in emergency departments according to the press release.

“Too often, ambulances are stuck at PRHC caring for patients when they should be out on service calls throughout the community,” MPP Dave Smith said. “This funding will help ensure that Peterborough Paramedics are where they belong, helping those who need it, when they need it.”

In addition to this $16.1 million, Ontario is investing an additional $7 million in the program for 2022–23 as announced in the 2022 Ontario Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build.

“As a recipient community of offload delay funding for years, we are pleased that this funding will continue in our community and pleased to see that the Province is expanding to include other hospitals and communities,” said Warden J. Murray Jones. “This additional funding will expand the program to new municipalities while providing additional support to previously funded communities where this program has already been regarded as a success.”

“Peterborough County-City Paramedics have worked closely with PRHC for years identifying and implementing strategies to assist with systemic offload delays,” said Chief Randy Mellow. “The continuance of this funding is critical to our entities and our community.”

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Ontario Government Receiving Over $8.5 Million in Funding for Peterborough County-City Ambulance Services

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Peterborough County-City Paramedics is receiving $8,701,551 from the Ontario Government to support the hiring of additional paramedics, wage and cost of living adjustments and general ambulance services operations announced at the Peterborough Paramedic station on Friday morning.

Warden J. Murray Jones (left), Chief Randy Mellow (middle) and MPP Dave Smith (right) during Jones’s final days as warden before retiring from a 24-year political tenure. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The funding is part of the Ontario Government investment of nearly $764 million in the province’s Land Ambulance Service Grant (LASG) to help municipalities facing increased cost pressures in their emergency departments.

“When people call 911, they need to know that paramedics will arrive quickly to meet their needs. A delay in a service call of just minutes can lead to drastically different results,” said MPP Dave Smith. “This investment will help all of us receive better service when our loved ones pick up the phone at that critical time.”

Through LASG, municipalities receive funding for 50 per cent of the costs of their land ambulance operations. This funding is part of the government’s commitment to building a modern, sustainable and connected emergency health system that supports every Ontarian on their health care journey according to a press release.

“The Province has supported our response to COVID-19 and recognized the need for support continues as we emerge from the Pandemic in order to provide stability required for our Paramedic Service to ensure we meet the community’s needs,” said Chief Randy Mellow. “In addition, the Ontario government is also continuing to fund 100 per cent of costs for Central Ambulance Communications Centres.”

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Federal and Provincial Government Investing Over $56 Million For High-Speed Internet to Over 16,000 Homes In Eastern Ontario

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Both the federal and provincial governments announced more than $56 million in combined funding to provide high-speed internet access to over 16,000 households in rural communities across Eastern Ontario, announced at Selwyn Public Library on Wednesday.

Government of Canada claims that they are ensuring that 98 per cent of Canadians have access to high-speed internet by 2026 and 100 per cent by 2030. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure were in attendance to make the announcements on behalf of their respective governments.

Three projects are done by Bell and Cogeco to bring high-speed internet. Bell’s projects are set to be completed between March and December 2025 while Cogeco’s project is set to be completed by March 2024.

"We all know that internet is no longer a luxury in this day and age, it’s a necessity,” said Hutchings. “Access to fast, reliable internet helps rural Canadians by levelling the playing field so they can access essential services like health care and education, participate in the digital economy, or simply connect with loved ones."

“Our government is building a stronger Ontario by delivering on our commitment to achieve 100 per cent connectivity across the province by the end of 2025,” said Sandhu. “These projects will expand high-speed internet access to more unserved and underserved communities across eastern Ontario and they will ensure Ontarians have the ability to learn, work, participate in the agriculture sector, access critical health services and connect with loved ones.”

Rural communities from Omemee to Gooderham are eligible for the high-speed Internet upgrade.

A list of rural communities and service providers bringing high-speed Internet to their respective locations and investments made. Screenshot.

When asked about Internet affordability, Hutchings said there is ‘Connecting Families 2.0’ to allow low-income housing a form of a rebate through Canada Revenue Agency through Child Care Benefit or include low-income seniors receiving the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). Households will receive letters through the CRA and can use them to contact their respective Internet service provider to claim the benefit according to Hutchings.

The existing $10 Internet plan offering under Connecting Families 1.0 also remains available.

“That’s for low-income families that can avail of $10 or $20 a month Internet and it’s a partnership of the Internet Services Providers,” said Hutchings.

Since April 1, Connecting Families 2.0 was launched that significantly faster speeds and increased data usage amount. It boasted download and upload speeds that are five and ten times faster, respectively, than in the first phase of Connecting Families. The data cap also doubled from 100 to 200 GB of usage per month.

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