One of the problems we have when we get what seems to be a cold, is knowing if it’s COVID or flu or just a cold. To help with this, the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) has expanded the services at the portable trailer immediately outside the NHH Emergency Department although, no doubt because they expect a rush, you need to make an appointment. So if you are experiencing “worsening cough, cold, earaches, sore throats, congestion and fever” – that is maybe Flu or Covid or even RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) – then call and ask for help diagnosing. If needed you can then make an appointment to see a clinician (often on the same day) and perhaps get a “COVID-19 PCR test with quick turnaround on results”. If needed, you can also get a prescription.
The announcement by NHH says:
The aim is that by offering focused care for respiratory illness to both adults and children in the Assessment Centre, we can offer an alternate option to local families while saving the Emergency Department for emergencies.
How to book an appointment
Call 905-377-7783 or 1-833-678-2435 to speak to a member of the NHH Cough, Cold and COVID Assessment team. Walk-ins are not permitted, due to space constraints. Appointments must be pre-booked.
In all urgent situations, such as chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, altered state of consciousness, and confusion, call 911 or go directly to the nearest Emergency Department.
NHH plans that this service will continue until 30 March, 2023.
There is an NHH Web page on this; it includes useful FAQs https://nhh.ca/cough-cold-covid-centre. Worth a read.
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Thanks for this info John! Hopefully we won’t have to call that phone number!
Well what an excellent idea! This should help alleviate overcrowding in er and the fact that many can’t get an appointment with their gp.
Agreed