Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre seeing unprecedented demand for testing

December 30, 2021 – The Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre is currently experiencing unprecedented demand for testing within the community. The centre, operated by the North Simcoe Family Health Team (NSFHT), has been working with its health partners to increase testing appointments for the community, including extending hours Monday to Friday and weekends.

“The Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre has expanded its hours when possible to accommodate the increased demand for testing,” says Andrew Shantz, executive director, NSFHT. “Current demand has well surpassed the capacity of assessment centres across the province with limited health human resources to staff the centre and perform the swabs. We are increasing staff when possible and we ask for your patience and understanding when both booking a testing appointment and receiving your results.”

Given the extreme demand for testing across Ontario, as of December 30, the provincial government announced new eligibility criteria to preserve testing capacity for those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. Those considered to be a highest risk include patient-facing healthcare workers, hospitalized patients and individuals 70+ years of age with a risk factor (such as obesity, diabetes or kidney disease). A full list of those now eligible for testing can be found here: https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1001387/updated-eligibility-for-pcr-testing-and-case-and-contact-management-guidance-in-ontario.

Members of the general public with mild symptoms are being asked not to seek testing. Individuals with symptoms indicative of COVID-19 can be presumed to be infected with COVID-19 and should initiate timely self-isolation to prevent transmission in the community. For more information on self-isolating, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread

COVID-19 swabs completed at the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre are sent to a central laboratory in Toronto for testing. Given the surge in tests completed over the past two weeks, the central laboratories processing swabs are also experiencing a dramatic increase in volumes – the highest of the pandemic to date. Results of tests may be delayed up to four days. For those awaiting test results, they should continue to check regularly online and self-isolate.

The Emergency department (ED) at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has also seen a significant increase in people seeking a COVID-19 test. The hospital is not a COVID-19 testing site and those who have mild or no symptoms should not attend the ED for a test.

“GBGH’s Emergency department is always here for you if you’re ill or injured,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff and Emergency physician, GBGH. “If you think you have COVID-19 and are not experiencing symptoms, or have mild symptoms similar to a cold, please do not visit the ED for testing. Visiting the hospital for testing puts other vulnerable patients at risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

For a list of assessment centre locations across the province, please visit:

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/assessment-centre-locations

To book a COVID-19 test at the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre based on the updated testing eligibility criteria announced December 30:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/CovidAssessmentCentre@nsfht.ca/bookings/

The operation of the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre has been a collaboration between partners – GBGH, the NSFHT, Centre de santé communautaire CHIGAMIK Community Health Centre, Wendat Community Programs and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH gives back to the community through food drive

From left – Matthew Lawson, executive vice president, Corporate Services and chief financial officer, GBGH; Angela Puddicombe, supervisor, Facilities, GBGH; Jennifer Moore, communications officer; Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH; and Joanne Borley, vice president, St. Margaret’s Chapter (Midland) of St. Vincent de Paul.

December 23, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) held its annual Holiday Food Drive to collect donations for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Banks in Midland and Penetanguishene. The Food Drive, was organized by GBGH’s Wellness Committee. Several hundred kilograms of food and toiletries were collected for community food baskets over the three-week food drive.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext. 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH team helping fulfill Christmas Angel Wishes in our community

For the past 17 years, team members from Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) have contributed gifts to families in need through the Christmas Angel Wish campaign with Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions. After another challenging year for the hospital and the community due to the pandemic, GBGH staff were once again generous in their support of families in need. The hospital was sent a list of wishes for 15 children ranging in age from infant to teenagers, and all are being fulfilled – from toys to bedding to toiletries and clothing.

GBGH’s donation would not have been possible without contributions from the Friends of Keewatin Volunteers who donated additional toys on top of the GBGH staff donations. A special thank you goes out to GBGH team member Kary Miller (Staffing) for organizing the hospital’s campaign and R.U.Moving? for helping deliver GBGH’s gifts.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext. 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH further limits visitation to preserve safety

December 22, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is further reducing visitation based on the continuing increase in COVID-19 cases in our local community and throughout our region. Effective the afternoon of December 22 (1 p.m.), admitted patients will be permitted to select two designated visitors for the duration of their hospital stay or while GBGH remains at this level of visitation. Of the two designated visitors, one is permitted to visit per day between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“To limit the number of visitors we have frequenting the hospital, we’ve had to make a difficult decision about visitation leading into the holidays,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Given the increase in community cases, we can anticipate some visitors may attend the hospital while asymptomatic and without knowing they could be COVID positive. By reducing the variety of visitors to GBGH we hope to reduce the chances of that happening.”

There are exceptions to the visitation policy of two designated visitors in the case of a palliative/actively dying patient. Birthing patients are also permitted one visitor for as long as they require assistance.

GBGH will permit one essential support person per patient for outpatient services (i.e. Ambulatory Care, Diagnostic Imaging, Day Surgery) and the Emergency department.

One essential support person continues to be permitted in the following circumstances:

• Pediatric patients – i.e. children under 18 (one guardian permitted with child)
• Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care staff supervising a patient
• Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) staff guarding an inmate
• Language barrier (translation required)
• Mental health/competency/confusion challenges
• Palliative

Designated visitors and essential support persons must be vaccinated and show proof of immunization, as well as identification, prior to being granted entry to the hospital. They will also be screened and anyone who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to visit. In exceptional circumstances (such as a support person for a woman in labour, a parent/guardian of a child in the Emergency department or a palliative/end of life patient), a visitor who screens positive for symptoms will be reviewed by GBGH’s infection prevention and control practitioner or hospital coordinator prior to entry.

All visitors must comply with hand hygiene practices, wear a hospital-provided mask for the duration of their visit and follow physical distancing. Visitors could also be asked to wear additional personal protective equipment as determined by the care team based on a patients’ condition.

Visitor guidelines are subject to change based on the status of the pandemic within the region GBGH serves.

For more information, please visit http://gbgh.on.ca/covid-19-visitor-restrictions/.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH returns to limited visitation as precautionary measure

December 15, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is reducing visitation based on the increasing cases of COVID-19 in our local community and throughout our region. Effective December 16, admitted patients will be permitted one visitor per day between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“Although reducing visitation is a very difficult decision, particularly coming into the holidays, it is a necessary precaution we must take to protect our patients, staff and credentialed staff,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Given the surge of cases in the area and the possibility of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, GBGH feels we must make this decision to temporarily reduce visitation. We continue to monitor the situation closely so we can re-establish more open visitation once it is safe to do so.”

The exceptions to one visitor per day per inpatient include visitation for a palliative/actively dying patient. In palliative cases, GBGH will allow up to four visitors at a time, as coordinated with the care team. Birthing patients are also permitted one visitor for as long as they require assistance.

GBGH will continue permitting one visitor/essential support person per patient for outpatient services (i.e. Ambulatory Care, Diagnostic Imaging) and the Emergency department.

One essential support person continues to be permitted in the following circumstances:

• Pediatric patients – i.e. children under 18 (one guardian permitted with child)
• Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care staff supervising a patient
• Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC) staff guarding an inmate
• Language barrier (translation required)
• Mental health/competency/confusion challenges
• Palliative

Visitors must be vaccinated and show proof of immunization, as well as identification, prior to being granted entry to the hospital. They will also be screened and any visitor who screens positive for COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to visit. In exceptional circumstances (such as a support person for a woman in labour, a parent/guardian of a child in the Emergency department or a palliative/end of life patient), a visitor who screens positive for symptoms will be reviewed by GBGH’s infection prevention and control practitioner or hospital coordinator prior to entry.

All visitors must comply with hand hygiene practices, wear a hospital-provided mask for the duration of their visit and follow physical distancing. Visitors could also be asked to wear additional personal protective equipment as determined by the care team based on a patients’ condition.

Visitor guidelines are subject to change based on the status of the pandemic within the region GBGH serves.

For more information, please visit http://gbgh.on.ca/covid-19-visitor-restrictions/.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre relocates from GBGH site

November 15, 2021 – The Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre is relocating on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. The Assessment Centre has been located at Georgian Bay General Hospital’s (GBGH) Midland site since August 2020 and is moving to the North Simcoe Family Health Team (NSFHT) at 619 Prospect Boulevard, Unit 3 in Midland. At the NSFHT, the centre will operate as a drive-through format.

The Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre hours will be Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The operation of the Assessment Centre has been a collaboration between partners – GBGH, the NSFHT, Centre de santé communautaire CHIGAMIK Community Health Centre, Wendat Community Programs and Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

“As part of our commitment to collaborating with community health partners, the Family Health Team is pleased to now take the lead in operating the Midland COVID-19 Assessment Centre,” says Andrew Shantz, executive director, NSFHT. “As partners in the development of the North Simcoe Ontario Health Team, as well as the oversight of the Assessment Centre for the past 19 months, the Family Health Team, GBGH, Chigamik, Wendat and Waypoint have continuously demonstrated a solid working relationship together. The Family Health Team and its partners are proud to take a role in ensuring our community’s health needs are met – during the pandemic and beyond.”

Assessment Centre Background:

• March 25 – August 27, 2020: Assessment Centre operates at Chigamik site (former King Street location)
• August 28, 2020 – November 16, 2021: Assessment Centre relocates to GBGH (Midland site, building in the parking lot)
• November 17, 2021: Assessment Centre relocates to NSFHT
• 36,736 swabs performed to date (March 25, 2020 – November 5, 2021)

To book an appointment, click here.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH resumes paid public parking

November 5, 2021 – After more than 18 months, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is resuming paid public parking at the Midland site on Tuesday, November 9. Complimentary parking was originally made available in April 2020 to alleviate parking expenses for patients and visitors during the particularly difficult times of the pandemic. During this time, the hospital has also replaced its parking system to be more reliable and user-friendly.

“Paid parking is an important source of revenue for hospitals as it enables us to replace aging equipment for patient care,” says Matthew Lawson, executive vice president of Corporate Services and chief financial officer. “GBGH has some of the lowest parking rates in Central Ontario, however paid parking still contributes significantly to our annual budget. Hospital equipment is not funded by the government so we must find other sources of income – such as fundraising and parking – to replace much-needed equipment.”

To regulate entry and exit to the parking lot from either the highway 93 or Penetanguishene Road entrances, parking gates have been re-installed. Patients and visitors will take a ticket upon entry (credit cards can also be used upon entry) and pay at a payment station prior to returning to their vehicle. Payment stations are located inside the main and Emergency department entrances of the hospital.

GBGH staff and credentialed staff also pay a monthly rate for parking which contributes to the purchase of important equipment for the hospital.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH requires visitors to show proof of vaccination

October 27, 2021 – As an important safety measure to protect patients and staff, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is implementing a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for visitors, effective November 15, 2021. Visitors, including those accompanying a patient to an appointment, at the hospital will be required to show proof of immunization at the main and Emergency department entrances prior to being permitted entry.

“Throughout the pandemic, GBGH has taken measures to ensure the safety of patients and our team of staff and credentialed staff,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “We have asked our team members to be vaccinated for the protection of patients and colleagues. The next progression to reducing risk is to ask that visitors be held to a similar standard. Visitors play an important role in the patients’ experience so it’s important we continue encouraging visitation in the safest way possible.”

There will be limited exceptions to the policy allowing visitation (with approval of the care team). These could include exemptions for patients who are:

• Palliative
• In childbirth
• Children
• Experiencing a severe trauma or critical illness
• Requiring an essential caregiver (due to language, mobility, cognitive ability, etc.)

Limited exemptions will also apply to those who provide documentation of a provincially-recognized medical exemption from a physician.

As per standard policy throughout the pandemic, visitors must continue to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, as directed by GBGH and regardless of being fully vaccinated. GBGH also asks visitors only travel directly to and from the patient’s room.

Patients do not have to show proof of immunization in order to receive care at the hospital.

This decision to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination among visitors, was made after consultation with other Central Region hospitals and GBGH’s Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC).

“As a representative of patients and families, I commend hospitals for making this decision in the interest of patient safety,” says Ray Nason, member of GBGH’s PFAC. “When I’ve had family in the hospital, or been a patient myself, I want to be reassured that the hospital is doing everything it can to guarantee safety. Requiring visitors to be vaccinated provides an extra layer of assurance to patients and families that hospitals are making their safety – and the safety of their family members – a top priority.”

 Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH puts safety first as team receives their annual flu shots

October 26, 2021 – This week GBGH kicked off its annual flu shot campaign within the hospital for staff and credentialed staff. Getting our flu shots is an important and simple way we can protect our patients, colleagues, families and ourselves throughout the upcoming flu season. GBGH President and CEO Gail Hunt and Chief Nursing Executive Angie Saini got theirs from our Occupational Health & Safety team.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH recruits important new addition for Birthing program with a hometown connection

October 13, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has made an important addition to the Birthing program through the recruitment of a permanent obstetrician-gynecologist – Dr. Jan (Chevy) Moreau. Until now, birthing services have been safely provided via midwives and family physicians with specialized training, as well as surgeons and anesthetists when needed for cesarean sections and epidurals. Dr. Moreau will continue working with the existing interprofessional team while also filling the role of chief of Obstetrics at GBGH. In addition to providing obstetrical care, he will offer specialized gynecological care to women in the community, increasing consistent access to this important service.

Dr. Moreau comes to GBGH from Barrie where he maintained a private medical practice, and provided obstetrical and gynecological services at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), practicing there for 27 years and most recently serving as the chief of Obstetrics.

Dr. Moreau’s desire to bring his vast skills and passion for patient care to GBGH stems from a long family history in this area. Having been born at the old St. Andrew’s hospital in Midland and being raised in Waubaushene, Dr. Moreau most looks forward to the opportunity to serve his hometown community.

“I have an immense personal connection to this area through my family and it has fueled my desire to serve my home community as I’ve progressed in my career,” says Dr. Moreau. “Even after growing up and leaving to pursue education and medical practice elsewhere, I’ve always considered myself a proud local of this area. After much thought and consideration, a transition to this hospital is the perfect opportunity for a change that brings the care I provide back to my hometown. I want to do this for GBGH and for the community it serves.”

One of Dr. Moreau’s main priorities will be to recruit an additional obstetrician-gynecologist for the program. He will also further develop and grow birthing and women’s health services at GBGH based on the foundation that has been built over the past five years.

“Both Dr. Moreau and myself would like to acknowledge and thank the team for the many years of valuable groundwork and commitment which has brought the Birthing program as far as it’s come today,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff, GBGH. “The recruitment of a permanent OB-GYN at GBGH is a significant milestone for the Birthing program, which has been growing steadily since being reinvigorated in 2016-2017 through a partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). It has taken exceptional determination and dedication to grow this service for women in our community, but worth every effort so we can offer this care closer to home.”

Obstetric and gynecological services at GBGH are offered through a partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), which began in 2017. Through this partnership, patients have access to high quality birthing services close to home across a corridor of care stretching between OSMH’s and GBGH’s North Simcoe catchment area. GBGH is a Level 1 centre providing service for low-risk births, while Orillia is a Level 2 centre for higher risk births.

Since the program was re-established in 2016-2017, the number of births has grown considerably from 116 to a forecasted 188 births in 2021-2022 (year ends March 31, 2022).

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca