(submitted to Quinte News)
‘Tis the season for gathering and enjoying festivities with loved ones, even as seasonal illnesses make their usual rounds. Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team (HPE OHT), Quinte Health, and Southeast Public Health are asking residents to consider all available healthcare options if they are sick and in need of non-urgent care.
By using appropriate settings for their level of illness, our community is helping to keep emergency departments available for those who need them most.
With escalating patient volumes in our hospitals, we encourage the public to gauge the urgency of their condition by assessing their symptoms and considering whether emergency care or an alternate level of care is needed.
Family doctors and nurse practitioners are there to support their patients with non-urgent care through appointments and extended hours.
For those without regular access to primary care, there are in-person and virtual options available in the area.
These alternative care paths can be found on the Know Where To Go web page hosted on the Quinte Health website.
“During the winter months, we often see an increase in emergency department pressures across our communities,” said Dr. Colin MacPherson, Chief of Staff at Quinte Health. “Seeking the most appropriate level of care helps to ensure our emergency departments remain available for those experiencing true medical emergencies. Your thoughtful choices, whether it’s connecting with your primary care provider, using virtual care, or visiting a local Cold and Flu
clinic, help keep our hospitals running safely and effectively for everyone.”
“Primary care is here to support you, especially when you’re dealing with non-urgent concerns that do not require a trip to the emergency department,” said Dr. Rob Pincock, family physician and co-lead of the HPE OHT Primary Care Network. “Family doctors and nurse practitioners offer timely care, extended hours, and guidance to help you manage seasonal illnesses. When patients choose the right care setting, it strengthens the entire health system and helps ensure
faster, safer care for all.”
There are ways to stay healthy and protect those around you as seasonal viruses circulate.
Staying up to date on vaccinations remains your best defense, and the Southeast Public Health website provides information on eligibility for flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines and prevention, and lists options for where to receive your vaccines in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.
In addition to becoming vaccinated, you can help to prevent further transmission and support a
healthier community by:
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes with your arm, not your hand.
• Staying at home if you are sick.
The choices we make this season play a key role in reducing illness and keeping our loved ones
safe. By seeking the right level of care and taking appropriate steps to prevent the spread of
germs, we can keep our emergency departments for their intended purpose – emergency health
situations. Let’s work together to keep our community well and as healthy as possible this
holiday season
