ORANGEVILLE, ON – August 4, 2020 – This week Ambulatory Care Clinics at Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) are reopening in a gradual way, as part of the hospital’s overall resumption of services.
Urgent clinics including Dialysis, Oncology and Systemic Therapy have all continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Six weeks ago, the hospital started the gradual resumption of surgical services and on July 7, the hospital welcomed essential visitors.
“We are grateful for the patience and understanding from patients and essential visitors and for the diligence of our staff and physicians,” said Kim Delahunt, President and CEO. “This pandemic has affected us all and safety is our top priority in all our decisions.”
Doctor’s offices have been provided with a step-by-step guide called “Keeping You Safe” to discuss with all patients preparing for an appointment at Headwaters. Patients are asked to self-monitor prior to their appointment. If they have any symptoms or fall into a high-risk category, they are required to be tested for COVID-19.
All patients will be screened on entry and if they fail screening will require alternate arrangements for their clinic appointment. All patients and essential visitors are required to wear a mask. One will be provided at screening, if they do not have their own. If they cannot wear a mask, a face shield will be provided.
The plans for reopening Ambulatory Care clinics follow a four-week schedule that will be reviewed each week by the hospital relaunch committee. These plans also maintain the requirement for all urgent and emergency patient visits. Given the varying nature of each clinic, the volume expectations between each clinic will vary to ensure the safety, patient care and equity in a safe environment for staff and patients. Each clinic will begin between 50 -100 per cent pre- COVID volumes or hours of operation.
The Clinics that are restarting in this phased approach include Infusion, Stress Tests, Plastics clinic, Fracture clinic, Minor Procedures, Nephrology, Diabetes, Occupational Therapy, Pre-Operative, Anesthesia, Musculoskeletal, Surgical and Telemedicine. During the pandemic, where possible, these programs have been offered remotely, by telephone and OTN.
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