RMH Archives — Lindsay Advocate

COVID-testing line stretched to Albert Street; Do self-assessment first, says RMH

Published on September 29, 2020 in Community/Health by Roderick Benns

Kent Street West was effectively down to one lane midday on Tuesday for several town blocks, as scores of people lined up to get tested for COVID-19.

In what is now being called Ontario’s second wave of the pandemic the province posted record number of cases this past week, albeit clustered mainly in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa.

The province also shifted its messaging five days ago from everyone can get a test if they want to asking that asymptomatic people refrain from getting tested unless they fall under certain criteria.

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COVID testing demands see RMH line-ups extend to Sussex Street

Published on September 24, 2020 in Health by William McGinn

Lineups to get a COVID test at Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) have seen drastic growth, sometimes stretching all the way down Kent Street to Sussex Street.

While the hospital averages about 200 tests a day, just three days ago RMH saw a record 394 people.

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Community anger growing with long wait times at LifeLabs

Published on September 12, 2020 in Community/Health by Roderick Benns

Outrage over long wait times at Lindsay’s LifeLabs – the only such laboratory in Kawartha Lakes – is growing.

The Advocate has fielded several emails and calls from residents who are increasingly frustrated not only with the wait times but with the conditions of their wait. According to several people who were standing in line, chairs are not provided for those who may need a break from standing and people are forced to be outside — even in inclement weather.

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Quilters answer the call to help Ross Memorial Hospital with mask supply

Published on June 12, 2020 in Community/Health by Jamie Morris

“Would you be able to make a few cloth masks for hospital visitors and patients leaving the hospital and heading home?”

That question came to Eleanor Plewes in an email from Dr. Rob Drury in late March. A few months and over 3,000 masks later, he’s had his answer.

Plewes reached out to her evening quilting guild and Victoria Quilts, a group that makes quilts for cancer patients. Thirty-five people responded.

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RMH to receive 5 per cent increase in funding from province

Published on June 11, 2020 in Health/Provincial by Lindsay Advocate

Ross Memorial Hospital will higher annualized funding, according to a press release from the province.

“This investment provides a five per cent increase of over $3.7 million in funding for Ross Memorial Hospital and a two per cent increase of more than $199,000 for Haliburton Highlands Health Services Corporation,” says MPP Laurie Scott in the release.

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RMH increases COVID-19 testing in community

Published on June 4, 2020 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

Following the province’s introduction of expanded testing guidelines, the RMH COVID-19 Assessment Centre has seen a significant increase in testing numbers.

To date, RMH, in partnership with Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Service, has provided 2,176 assessments, and 1,019 tests.

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Five area hospitals partner to ramp up non-urgent care

Published on May 29, 2020 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH), Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH) have now received formal approval from Ontario Health (OH) to move forward with a regional plan to begin resuming non-urgent surgeries, procedures and tests.

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Get tested for virus, says RMH, with just one symptom or if you’re at risk

Published on May 26, 2020 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued expanded guidance on Ontario’s testing strategy to provide COVID-19 testing for:

All people with at least one symptom of COVID-19, even if mild symptoms
Asymptomatic people have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Asymptomatic people who are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their employment

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre phone lines are open from 8a.m.-4p.m. daily.

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Outbreak at Ross declared over

Published on May 8, 2020 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

The COVID-19 outbreak on Ross Memorial Hospital’s Continuing Care Program (CCP1) unit has been declared ‘over’ as of May 7.

The hospital worked with Public Health to complete contact tracing and testing, and the outbreak remains limited to 1 patient and 1 staff member. “Our team quickly identified and contained the spread of COVID-19 on the unit, maintaining the safety of our patients and staff,” says Kelly Isfan, president and CEO.

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Two staff members at RMH test positve for COVID-19

Published on April 20, 2020 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

Two Ross Memorial Hospital staff members who were in close contact with a patient who recently tested positive for COVID-19 have now also tested positive for the virus.

Tests are being completed for all staff and physicians who work on the unit, and any other staff member who was in close contact with the patient.

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