The COVID-19 assessment center at West Haldimand General Hospital is expanding its services to include adult and pediatric patients suffering from influenza-like illnesses.
The expansion in services aims to help meet the rising demands for medical attention and ease pressure on area emergency departments during flu season. The clinic is staffed by physicians, nurses and other medical professions and the change was effective Dec. 7.
The clinic, now known as the COVID, Cough, Flu Care Clinic, is located in a trailer beside the hospital’s main entrance. It operates from 8 am to 6 pm Sunday to Friday. Appointments must be booked online at bit.ly/3OEvWIp or by calling 905-768-3311 ext. 1113. Hospital officials request that patients have their health cards ready when booking an appointment.
“WHGH is committed to providing timely and high-quality access to health care professionals through the COVID, Cough, Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC),” AnneMarie VanSickle, clinical director of the hospital’s emergency department and the CCFCC, said in a statement Monday. “Expanding the services we offer to both adult and pediatric patients with cold, cough, and flu symptoms facilitates the right care in the right place for the communities we serve.”
The change will relieve pressures in Haldimand emergency departments, and hospital officials are optimistic it will decrease the length of time people wait for medical help, she added.
Hospitals across the province are under strain due to ongoing concerns with COVID-19 and an unusually high seasonal surge in viral illnesses. It is particularly hard on emergency departments and is creating staffing problem across all sectors, West Haldimand General Hospital officials said in a statement released Monday.
West Haldimand, like many other Ontario hospitals, is seeing additional patient volumes directly attributed to COVID-19 and influenza-like illnesses.
Primary care providers should continue to be the first option, where possible, for patients seeking assessments for COVID-19 and influenza-like illness, the hospital said.
Hospital officials are working with local health care partners to address patient volumes but in the meantime, those visiting the emergency department should anticipate longer than normal wait times for non-emergency cases.
VanSickle said staff and physicians are working extremely hard to manage the health and safety of patients with limited resources. She asked people to be kind and understanding.
Meanwhile, there are options for those with less urgent medical needs.
People can call Health Connect Ontario to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week by phone or web chat for health concerns that aren’t life-threatening but can’t wait for an appointment with a family doctor. To learn more about Health Connect visit www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/healthcareconnect/pro/ or call 1-800-810-0000.
As well, patients can call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 to speak with a registered nurse. Patients can also visit a local pharmacist if a prescription refill is needed.
Meanwhile, West Haldimand is working with Haldimand War Memorial Hospital (HWMH) in Dunnville, which has also recently transitioned to the COVID Cold Flu Care Clinic.
The Haldimand War Memorial clinic operates Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm by appointment only. Appointments are available by calling 905-774-7431 x1000.
The Norfolk Family Health Team also offers clinical assessments for both adult and pediatric patients for influenza-like illnesses. The team’s clinic operates on Mondays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Wednesdays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm by appointment only.
To make an appointment, call 519-582-2323 x 232. Referrals can be faxed to 519-582-1315. The clinic is located at the Delhi Medical Center (basement) 105 Main St, Delhi. For more information about the CCFCC visit www.whgh.ca/covid-cold-andflu-care-clinic/ .
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