GBGH Emergency Department construction update

June 13, 2018 – Although expected to be open in time for the busy summer season at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), the final phase of construction on the Emergency department (ED) construction is delayed. The hospital expected its ED redevelopment to be complete this month, but is now working on timelines for later this summer.

One of the significant construction delays has been sourcing some materials for Phase 3 to be consistent with those used in the previous two construction phases (completed in 2014 and 2017). With many moving parts in any construction project, GBGH now aims to take possession of the new See & Treat and waiting room area in late July, taking a few weeks to equip and train staff in the space with an anticipated opening in mid-August. The ED administration area and grand opening is not expected to be complete until September.

“This final phase continues to be very challenging, especially going into our busy summer season,” says Lorraine Harker, ED manager, GBGH. “It’s quite common on an average day in the off season we will see approximately 110 visits to our ED. In the summer, our daily average is around 140 and on a long weekend, it’s not uncommon for us to peak as high as 160 to 180 visits per day. This can be very challenging at the best of times, let alone when we are under construction in vital areas of our department.”

This final phase, which began in December 2017, has caused the closure of the main waiting room, the See & Treat area, main hallway from Diagnostic Imaging/main entrance to the ED and the department’s administration areas. Over the winter, measures such as a temporary waiting rooms were set-up elsewhere in the department. A temporary See & Treat area was established, but given its smaller size, it’s difficult to meet the demand. More than 60 per cent of ED patients are directed to the See & Treat area.

Even though GBGH has recently gained some room back, the hospital’s ED space is still very limited. GBGH asks patients for their cooperation and understanding during the remainder of the redevelopment.

“This is obviously not an ideal scenario going into our summer season when the population in our area grows from 55,000 to 200,000 people,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Our ED team will continue to do their best to meet the growing demand the hospital will see in the coming months. With every summer season, we always hope cottagers and tourists don’t need us, but if they do, we are certainly here for them.”

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Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
MooreJen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

Volunteer Association gives more than just their time to GBGH as National Volunteer Week approaches

April 10, 2018 – The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Volunteer Association recently presented a cheque for $88,000 to the hospital. The funds will go toward the purchase of GBGH’s new CT scanner, equipment which takes pictures of organs and organ systems inside the body to determine a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Expected to be operational in the fall of 2018, the new scanner will replace a 13 year old unit at the end of its lifespan. The new CT will provide better image quality, reduce radiation doses and increase the types of exams offered at GBGH.

“The Volunteer Association chose to support the new CT scanner because technology advances so quickly and it’s an important component of GBGH’s Diagnostic Imaging department that must remain current,” says Karen Roberts, president, GBGH Volunteer Association. “Everything we do as volunteers is to ultimately help our patients, so investing in the new CT will mean better, more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatments for patients.”

The money was raised based on revenue from the Volunteer Association’s two hospital businesses – the Coffee Bar and the Gift shop – as well as proceeds from bake and flower sales, and the clothing drive which raised more than $10,000 for the association in 2017-18. The Volunteer Association also donates annually to the staff education fund – $10,000 in the past year.

“GBGH’s volunteers are extremely generous and motivated to provide for their hospital – through both their volunteering and fundraising efforts,” says Kathy Elsdon-Befort, interim executive director of the GBGH Foundation. “In addition to this latest donation from our volunteers, we do still need to raise more to purchase the CT. Hospital equipment is not funded by the government so we rely on community support to make purchases. Typically, we can expect equipment to have a seven to ten year lifespan, so we ask donors to consider directing their gifts toward ensuring we have the best tools available to patients when they need us.”

The Volunteer Association donation falls just before National Volunteer Week – April 15 to 21, 2018. The hospital is celebrating its 185-person volunteer force, also known as the ‘Blue Jackets’ with an appreciation lunch and inspiring stories of volunteerism throughout the week. The Blue Jackets donate 35,000 hours to the hospital each year – the equivalent of more than $500,000 in wages.

“We are so fortunate to have our Blue Jackets and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts this week and throughout the year,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Our volunteers do so much for this hospital. Whether it’s the friendly face you see when you first walk in our doors, fundraising for equipment like our CT scanner, helping patients at mealtime, serving coffee at our coffee bar or getting patients out of bed and moving, we really couldn’t do what we do without them. They are an integral part of the GBGH team and we couldn’t be more thankful for them and proud of them.”

GBGH is in need of more volunteers. To become a volunteer, applications are available at the hospital’s gift shop, coffee bar, Emergency department volunteer desk, switchboard and the main entrance info desk, as well as on the website – https://gbgh.on.ca/join-our-teams/volunteer-association/

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Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
MooreJen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH Foundation welcomes new interim leader

April 5, 2018 – Kathy Elsdon-Befort (pictured far right) has assumed the role of interim executive director (ED) of Georgian Bay General Hospital’s (GBGH) Foundation. Elsdon-Befort will be in the position until a permanent ED candidate is recruited.

Elsdon-Befort has been a friend of GBGH for many years now, as well as a dedicated long-time supporter of many community organizations in the Midland and Penetanguishene area through both her work and volunteerism.

Through the operation of her own business over the past 28 years, Elsdon-Befort has provided training and consulting services to business, government, industry and community-based organizations.

“With a vast skills set including business management, staffing, human resources, and training and education, she will be an asset in helping our Foundation while the recruitment process takes place,” says David Turner, president, GBGH Foundation Board of Directors. “Kathy is very familiar to our community and we are very thankful for her willingness and generosity to step in as the interim ED until a permanent candidate is found.”

The GBGH Foundation will continue the recruitment process this spring.

The remainder of the Foundation team – including development associates Shelly Price and Jennifer Russell, and database specialist Catherine Johnson – is also available to assist donors with requests or questions.

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Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
MooreJen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH measuring up in ED return visits

April 3, 2018 – Hospitals measure their progress in many aspects of their operations. This is how they know their care stacks up against other hospitals in the region and the province. By comparing performance, hospitals have a benchmark to know what they do well and what they could improve. For Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), measuring the number of Emergency department (ED) return visits is just one of many statistics collected to determine performance.

In 2015, Ontario introduced the Emergency department (ED) Return Visit Program for hospitals as a quality improvement initiative to measure the number of patients returning to EDs across the province. There are two factors measured in the program. The first is the number of patients who return within 72 hours of discharge from their initial ED non-admit visit to any hospital, and require admission to the hospital. The other type of return visit measured is the number of patients who return to any ED within seven days of discharge from an initial non-admit ED visit with a sentinel diagnosis (intercranial bleed, pediatric sepsis or heart attack).

“The ED Return Visit Program is an important measurement for hospitals as it reinforces our commitment to quality care and continuous improvement,” says Dr. Dan Lee, chief of Emergency, GBGH. “This program ensures we employ best practices for follow-up care and helps mitigate risks to patients. By reviewing the data, we learn how we can continually improve quality and learn what we can do better for the next patient.”

GBGH’s participation in the ED Return Visits Program is an important tool in its ongoing quality improvement efforts. GBGH’s most recent data (2016 data reviewed during 2017) indicates the hospital is doing well in both areas measured for return visits. GBGH had the lowest return rate of any hospital in our region – 0.38 per 1,000 visits – for patients with a sentinel diagnosis. The North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) average was 0.55 per 1,000 visits.

GBGH was among the lowest hospitals in the LHIN for return visits within 72 hours with a score of 8.62 per 1,000 visits. The LHIN average is 9.48 per 1,000 visits and the provincial average is 10.29 per 1,000 visits. Now having completed the second year of the program, there is evidence of a positive trend. In 2015, the program’s first year, GBGH was on par with the LHIN average and higher than the provincial average for sentinel diagnosis.

“These are important results for GBGH because they show we provide quality services,” says Dawn Major, chief performance, quality and risk officer, GBGH. “One of the most important factors to consider when reviewing that data is how our results can be impacted by access to community supports. When patients leave our Emerg, they need to have timely access to

services to ensure their condition is being managed and appropriate follow-up care is provided. This is what helps patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time – whether that be from their primary care provider, outpatient services, home and community care or in our ED.”

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Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
MooreJen@gbgh.on.ca
About GBGH:

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH feeling the strain of higher flu activity

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is feeling the effects of increased rates of infectious diseases and a flu season which has not yet reached its peak. This week, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit declared widespread community influenza activity as lab-confirmed flu cases jumped by 50 (between December 31 and January 6) for a total of 198 cases to date this season.*

“As an acute care hospital, we have not been immune to this increase in community illness,” says Dawn Major, chief performance, quality and risk officer, GBGH. “In our Emergency Department we are also seeing the highest rates of respiratory illness we have seen in the past 12 months. In the past week, we have also seen an increased number of admissions of patients with community-acquired c. difficile. It’s really proving to be a particularly challenging year for hospitals dealing with a variety of infectious diseases.”

To reduce the risk of transmitting infections in the hospital, GBGH is following strict preventative measures, including co-horting patients and increased cleaning hospital-wide, including all high-touch surfaces.

“It’s also important the public understands the impact they can have on our patient’s safety,” says Major. “We ask the public to not visit GBGH if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, chills and sweats, headache, and muscle and joint pain. If a visitor is healthy and needs to see someone in the hospital, we ask they limit their visit to one patient only and always practice hand hygiene upon entering and exiting a patient room, as well as entering and exiting the building.”

When possible, the public is also reminded to visit their family physician for minor illnesses instead of the hospital’s Emergency department (ED). As GBGH’s ED is currently undergoing the final stage of renovations, the hospital is experiencing space constraints and asks patients to only be accompanied by one person.

“As hospitals we know flu season arrives each winter, but in a year where we’re already experiencing occupancy rates consistently over 100 per cent for months, it really does make capacity issues even more challenging,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “The addition of seven temporary surge beds in late 2017 is certainly helping to ease the capacity crisis this winter and we will continue working with our team to optimize all available space for patient care.”

* For more information on weekly influenza surveillance, please visit:
http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/SeasonalInfluenza

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Media contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:
Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH’s ED begins Phase 3 construction

December 4, 2017 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has begun phase 3 of construction in the redevelopment of its Emergency department (ED). The final renovation to the existing ED will include a new main waiting room, a new See & Treat area for sub-acute patients and a new ED administration area.

“To accommodate this final phase of construction, GBGH will experience significant space challenges as there will be closures to the existing See & Treat area, as well as ED administration,” says Lorraine Harker, manager, ED. “We are also losing the main ED waiting area so a temporary waiting room has been set up inside the department. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding during this time.”

Phase 3 of construction is expected to last approximately six months. Given the limited space and an expectation the ED will be busy this winter due to flu season, GBGH is asking patients to be accompanied by only one person when visiting the ED.

“Once our ED is complete in the spring, it will have a significant impact on the care we’re able to provide to patients. We will be better able to meet growing demand and operate more efficiently,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Although there will be challenges in the short-term due to space constraints, the expanded and renovated ED will help us see, diagnose and treat patients faster.”

Once complete, GBGH’s new ED will have nearly doubled in size. The complete renovation includes new trauma and treatment rooms with easy access to the operating room, two new safe rooms for mental health patients, a negative pressure room with an anti-room, bariatric lifts, a gynecological room, an eye room, a new triage area, a new waiting area, a new admission area for kids and the indoor ambulance bay. The new ambulance bay is also about to open, ensuring patients will be off-loaded comfortably inside this winter.

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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:
Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH announces Lucille Perreault to the position of Interim Chief Nursing Executive and VP of Patient Services

GBGH is pleased to announce the appointment of Lucille Perreault to the position of Interim Chief Nursing Executive and VP of Patient Services, effective November 28, 2017. Lucille, who recently retired from Hôpital Montfort in Ottawa, will be with GBGH for the next several months while we recruit a permanent candidate.

Originally from Sudbury, Lucille has vast experience as a Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive through her time with Montfort, Laurentian Hospital and Sudbury Regional Hospital. She has extensive knowledge in health system planning, strategic development, governance, performance and quality, restructuring hospital operations, LEAN, capital planning, as well as nursing and value-based leadership. Throughout her career, Lucille has also been involved as chair or member of many community and professional groups.

Lucille is an experienced leader focused on excellence and collaboration with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

Hospitals continue to build gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland

Georgian Bay General Hospital and Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital work towards major milestones as part of its birthing program partnership

November 23, 2017 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), recently opened a bi-weekly Gynecology Clinic at the hospital. This clinic opening is a major step forward in re-establishing gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland.

Run through GBGH’s Ambulatory Care department by co-leads Dr. Kim Bremer and Dr. Jessica Green, this clinic is open every other Monday to provide consultations and minor surgical procedures to women referred by their family physician. The clinic will see up to 20 patients per day.

The Gynecology Clinic is part of GBGH’s plan to improve access to gynecology services and expand birthing services to meet the needs of women in the community. The hospital has partnered with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) to build this comprehensive birthing partnership.

As part of Phase 1 of the partnership, GBGH is working to recruit an obstetrician, a shared professional practice leader in obstetrics, a shared program manager and obstetrical nurses, with the aim of being fully staffed by spring 2018.

“Recruiting critical support staff and skilled clinical professionals is essential to continue providing birthing services at GBGH,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Since the beginning of our fiscal year in April 2017, we have delivered 77 babies at GBGH. Having the right physicians, midwives and staff in place, combined with the valuable support of our partner OSMH, will assist in our efforts to continue raising the number of babies delivered at our hospital.”

As a Level 2 birthing and neonatal centre, OSMH can provide care for higher-risk mothers and babies, with GBGH continuing to provide low-risk birthing services. Additionally, OSMH will provide ongoing mentorship and education for staff and physicians in the Level 1 centre at GBGH.

“We’re incredibly excited about the partnership our hospitals have developed and how it will ensure high quality, standardized care for obstetrical patients across the region,” said Pat Campbell, OSMH President and CEO. “This unique model of care has not previously been implemented anywhere in the province and could serve as a model for others to follow.”

GBGH and OSMH are in discussions with the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care about continued funding to support the program.

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH), recently opened a bi-weekly Gynecology Clinic at the hospital. This clinic opening is a major step forward in re-establishing gynecological and obstetrical services in Midland. The clinic is operated by co-leads Dr. Kim Bremer (right) and Dr. Jessica Green (left) with GBGH/OSMH chief of staff Dr. Nancy Merrow.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

Terry Dyni
Director of Community Relations, OSMH
(705) 327-9179
tadyni@osmh.on.ca

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is located in Orillia, Ontario (just 114 kilometres north of Toronto) and serves more than 440,000 residents in North Simcoe Muskoka. OSMH provides a comprehensive range of programs and services, including medical, surgical and emergency care, dialysis, obstetrical and paediatric care, mental health and rehabilitation services. For more information please visit our website at www.osmh.on.ca.

GBGH honours Exceptional People at annual awards

November 20, 2017 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) held its annual awards to celebrate staff and physicians for their Years of Service, and honour some of the hospitals’ team members through the GBGH Board of Directors’ Exceptional People Awards and Volunteer Awards of Excellence. The evening is hosted annually by the GBGH Board of Directors to recognize the dedication of staff, physicians and volunteers.

“It was a privilege for me to represent the Board of Directors as we celebrated the successes of exceptional team members,” says Rick Philbin, chair, GBGH Board of Directors. “The board has a deep respect for the staff, physicians and volunteers who commit their compassion, skills, caring, kindness and time to this hospital. Their incredible contributions have improved safety and care, demonstrated inspiring leadership, and gone above and beyond expectations.”

Exceptional People Awards were handed out to Angie Bulloch of the Pharmacy, Brenda Dorion-Duqette of Health Information Services, Jennifer Joli of the Emergency department, Dan McNamara of Housekeeping, Dr. Dan Lee of the Emergency department, and the cMAR Implementation Team. The prestigious awards recognize outstanding commitment to patient care, improving quality and project implementation.

Erna Gibson, James Layter and John Sweeney were recognized by the GBGH Board of Directors and Volunteer Association with Volunteer Awards of Excellence

In 2017, the hospital received a total of 31 peer nominations – 22 for staff, physicians and teams, as well as nine for volunteers.

GBGH also recognized staff and physicians for reaching years of service milestones between five and 40 years.

The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Board of Directors honoured four staff, one physician and one team with Exceptional People Awards. This recognition is the most prestigious honour handed out to by the hospital for outstanding commitment to patient care, improving quality and project implementation. From left – Gail Hunt, GBGH president and CEO; Dr. Dan Lee, chief of Emergency; Angie Bulloch, pharmacist; Dr. Nancy Merrow, GBGH chief of staff; Brenda Dorion-Duquette, manager of Health Information Services; Jennifer Jolie, registered nurse, Emergency; and Rick Philbin, chair, GBGH Board of Directors. Absent – Dan McNamara (Housekeeping).

The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Board of Directors honoured four staff, one physician and one team with Exceptional People Awards. This recognition is the most prestigious honour handed out to by the hospital for outstanding commitment to patient care, improving quality and project implementation. The cMAR Implementation Team was recognized with an Exceptional People Award for their role in bringing an important patient safety measure -computerized Medication Administration Records – to the hospital.

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) recognized Judith Sauve, Telemedicine coordinator, for reaching 40 Years of Service with the hospital. From left – Rick Philbin, chair, GBGH Board of Directors; Judith Sauve; and Gail Hunt, GBGH president and CEO.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

About GBGH:

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is a 105-bed acute care community hospital located in Midland, Ontario. The hospital offers emergency, ambulatory, acute, intensive and complex continuing care, as well as imaging, dialysis, obstetrical and rehabilitation services. GBGH serves the areas of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island as well as Tay, Tiny, Springwater and Georgian Bay Townships.

GBGH team receives flu shots for safety’s sake

October 23, 2017 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) launched its annual influenza immunization campaign in preparation for the upcoming flu season. All staff, physicians and volunteers are encouraged to receive their flu shot to protect patients, themselves, their loved ones and their colleagues.

To make receiving their immunization as convenient as possible, GBGH’s Occupational Health & Safety team is visiting departments and running clinics for staff, physicians and volunteers.

Gail Hunt, president and CEO of Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) received her flu shot as part of the hospital’s annual influenza immunization campaign. All staff, physicians and volunteers of the hospital are encouraged to receive their flu shot to protect patients, their colleagues, themselves and their loved ones.  “Flu season is always a challenging time of year for hospitals,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “We are committed to ensuring the highest safety precautions are in place to protect patients, staff, physicians and volunteers. We want our team of care providers to remain healthy throughout the season, so they can be at GBGH to care for our patients when they need us the most.”

All GBGH patients will be screened for symptoms of influenza upon arriving at the emergency department or at registration as part of enhanced safety precautions during the upcoming flu season. Patients with flu-like symptoms will be required to wear a mask and be isolated when possible.

The public is asked to not visit the hospital if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, chills and sweats, headache, and muscle and joint pain. All visitors should practice hand hygiene on arrival and exiting the hospital to minimize virus transmission throughout the year and particularly during flu season.

“To help keep our community safe from the flu, we also encourage the public to receive their flu shot through their family physician or a pharmacy,” suggests Yvonne Stahlmann, manager, Occupational Health and Safety, GBGH. “The World Health Organization is confident the vaccine is a good match to the common flu viruses we will see this year. You can help protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the shot this year.”

Contact:

Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca