General and Emergency Health Support during COVID-19
Kawartha Lakes Health Care Initiative (KLHCI), along with local primary health care providers, is reminding City of Kawartha Lakes (CKL) citizens that support is available for their general and emergency health concerns during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Family doctors and nurse practitioners are providing “essential” patient visits in their clinics, and conducting appointments remotely, to assist their patients with prescription renewals, follow-up from test results, questions regarding COVID-19, etc. The majority of these services are being offered via telephone or video consults. Patients must call their health providers’ offices first if an in-person visit is necessary. Health providers will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) for everyone’s safety.
“Community Care is pleased to offer appointments to our clients virtually, or in-person if needed, through our Community Health Centre (CHC), as well as consultations with our social worker, registered dietitian and health promoter,” says Margot Fitzpatrick, Director of Clinical Services, Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. “To book an appointment, or for additional information, please call our office at 705-879-4100 and push 2 for the CHC.”
Marina Hodson, Executive Director with KNFHT states that "Kawartha North FHT continues to offer patient care both virtually and in person where appropriate. We appreciate everyone's patience during these difficult times and hope that you continue to practice the outlined distancing measures. In an effort to ensure everyone's safety, we ask that patients not come to the office without a pre-booked appointment. For contact information and additional guidance, please visit our website at www.knfht.ca ."
Local citizens who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner may book a telephone appointment with Dr. Alan Konyer by calling 705-340-2677 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Telehealth Ontario is also available for health care needs: 1-866-797-0000, as is dialing 9-1-1 in the event of a health emergency.
“If medical assistance is needed, I urge you to call your doctor's office or visit the Ross Memorial Hospital emergency department. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to a better outcome. CKL’s family doctors, nurse practitioners, and the hospital are still available to you,” says KLHCI President Barb van der Veen.
If you are experiencing a health emergency, don’t hesitate to visit the Ross Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, which is open 24/7. The team has several enhanced measures in place to keep you safe. Visit the Emergency Department if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
• Seizure or convulsions
• A broken bone or wound requiring stitches
• Chest pain or tightness in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Confusion and disorientation
• Stiff neck and sensitivity to light
• Continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration
• Sudden severe headache, weakness, vision problems, numbness/tingling, trouble speaking, dizziness And, any infant under 3 months old with fever over 38.5C/101F or has a fever and is difficult to wake should be seen at the Emergency Department.
KLHCI is a non-profit, charitable organization whose mandate is to recruit and retain family doctors for the City of Kawartha Lakes. KLHCI is directed through the work of a volunteer Board of Directors that is actively engaged in attracting new Board members from the community. Should you wish to support our efforts of ongoing recruitment and retention of family doctors in this manner, or through a financial donation, please contact Cindy Snider, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator at 705-328-6098 or csnider@rmh.org, or visit the KLHCI website at www.kawarthalakesdoctors.org.
For further information contact: Cindy Snider, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, at csnider@rmh.org or 705-731-7645 (cell).
