Author Archive: Mike Page

Your supplies could save lives.

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Our front-line healthcare workers need your help. They need personal protective equipment
(PPE), so they can continue to care for, and protect our community members. Your supplies
could help save lives.

As part of a newly developed, County-wide response strategy to tackle the supply shortage,
Oxford County’s healthcare partners are working together to collect and distribute donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) among all healthcare partners working in the Oxford
County community.

This call for donations is being coordinated by the Oxford County Community Health Centre
(OCCHC) and Oxford County’s Paramedic Services on behalf of hospitals, paramedics, long-
term care workers, primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Depending on supplies, donations will be distributed daily and weekly based on priority
level and/or most urgent need within the community.

Our team has been working together in a cohesive and organized way since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of Southwestern Public Health’s Emergency Control Group to help tackle necessary response measures within our community. We also want to thank the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic and Builtbymike IT Services for offering administrative support to this initiative.

What do our front-line healthcare workers need?

  • Face masks – surgical masks / procedural masks / other types
  • Disposable isolation gowns
  • Shield masks & headbands / goggles
  • N95 masks & filters
  • Latex-free gloves – unopened packages preferred
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Cleaning agents and disinfectant wipes

Have supplies you can donate? Here’s how:

There are two ways you can get supplies to us: drop-off or pick-up. For either option, please
connect with us ahead of time so we can keep track of inventory. Please contact
donations@oxchc.ca or call 1-800-755-0394, ext. 3550.

You can drop-off at one of the following three locations:

Woodstock
Oxford County Paramedic Services
377 Mill St.
Blue drop-off bin. Please use back entrance off of Sales Dr. (accessed via Parkinson Rd. or Juliana Dr.)

Ingersoll
Alexandra Hospital
29 Noxon St.
Drop-off bin located at the east, rear loading dock at the hospital. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Mon-Fri)

Tillsonburg
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital
167 Rolph St.
Yellow drop-off bin located across the street from the hospital, in front of the staff parking lot.

We can pick-up:
Let us know your address and the quantity/type of items, and we will arrange a pick-up.
Thank you in advance for any supplies you may be able to donate. Together, we can protect our healthcare workers. Together, we can save lives.

For the most up-to-date information regarding PPE donations please visit www.oxfordppedonations.ca.

Stay healthy,

Randy Peltz
Executive Director
Oxford County Community Health Centre

Stephen Edwards
Deputy Chief
Oxford County Paramedic Services

On behalf of Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) Health System EOC

COVID-19

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Our community programs are currently closed and we are only seeing clients in-office for essential appointments. Most appointments are being done by phone. This includes medical, therapy, and dietitian appointments, as well as outreach and housing drop ins. If you would like to book an appointment please call 519-539-1111. Follow the prompts for individual extensions or press 0 to speak with a receptionist.

If you are experiencing the following:

  • Severe difficulty breathing (for example, struggling for each breath or speaking in single words)
  • Severe chest pain
  • Having a very hard time waking up from sleep
  • Feeling confused
  • Loss of consciousness

Call 911 or go straight to your nearest emergency department

If you have developed flu like symptoms such as fever, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing please self-isolate at home and take this online self- assessment here, https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/#q0. If you are unable to access this online please call 519 539-1111 and press 0 to take self-assessment with reception.

In order to protect yourself and your loved ones remain at home, stay six feet away from others (physical distancing) and wash your hands frequently!

Health Care Options Over the Christmas Holidays – Be Prepared

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Know your healthcare options for the holidays. Have a plan for non-emergency situations.

  1. Make sure that everyone in your family has enough of their medications to last and that medical equipment is in good working condition.
    • This includes inhalers, oxygen, needles, glucose testing equipment, etc.
  2. Get your flu shot
  3. Contact your family health care provider for office hours over the holidays
  4. Find when local after-hours or walk in clinics are open by checking: http://bit.ly/SWholidayhours
  5. Speak to a registered nurse 24/7 at Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000

Non-Emergency Situations

In non-emergency situations, your family doctor or nurse practitioner is your best option. If the office is closed, visit http://bit.ly/SWholidayhours  to search for alternate options near you, including:

  • Walk-in clinics
  • Pharmacies
  • Crisis intervention
  • Telehealth 1-866-797-0000. Available 24/7 for health advice and information from a registered nurse.

When to Go to the Emergency Department

Being prepared could help you avoid a visit to emergency over the holidays, but sometimes there’s things you can’t prepare for.

  • Pains or tightness in the chest
  • Symptoms of stroke
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Wounds that may need stitches
  • Severe pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden severe headaches, problems with vision, weakness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg, trouble speaking, or dizziness
  • If your child is vomiting, has diarrhea and won’t eat or drink
  • When a baby under six months has a fever over 37.9 degrees C or 100 degrees F
  • When a child over six months has a fever over 38.5 degrees C or 101 degrees F

Download the South West LHIN holiday poster.