Service Disruption Notice
As you may be aware, labour negotiations are currently underway at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH). As notified in August, Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) staff continue to be engaged in work stoppage. In addition, employees of HPEPH who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) will be in a legal strike position as of Sept. 22, 2023. If we are unable to come to an agreement, a CUPE work stoppage will modify the way we offer certain services. Please see our service disruption information below.
Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) will continue to be investigated. Please continue to report DOPHS through our online reporting form and calling HPEPH at 613-966-5500, ext. 349. Please note that we will focus on high priority cases, and there will be a delay in processing of surveillance forms.
Immunization clinics (COVID-19 and Influenza) are not being offered by HPEPH at the current time. Influenza vaccine will be available through our regular ordering process for health care providers to administer, and/or clients may be directed to local pharmacies.
Immunization clinics (routine immunization) and school immunization clinics are cancelled. Clients are encouraged to contact their family physicians or nurse practitioners for any necessary immunizations. Many local pharmacies will also be offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines later this fall.
Vaccine orders continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure will change for the duration of the CUPE work stoppage. If a work stoppage is initiated, vaccine pickup locations and times may be temporarily altered.
Outbreaks will continue to be investigated and posted on our website; however, updating of public facing dashboards will be paused.
STI treatment: Publicly funded treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis remains available to health care providers for treating patients. For all patients who test positive for an STI, advise patients to notify their sexual contacts of the need to seek testing. HPEPH will only be conducting prioritized contact notification during service disruption.
In addition to the above, please see the following full list of service disruptions. This information has been provided to the public and is available on our website.
Baby & Me Drop-In is cancelled. Clients are encouraged to contact Health811 by calling 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007 or their primary care provider to discuss any feeding/weight gain concerns.
Breastfeeding consultations are cancelled. Clients may contact Health811 by calling 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007 or contact their primary care provider if they have any breastfeeding concerns. Physicians can refer clients to Dr. Lindsay Webster for breastfeeding/chestfeeding support (including tongue tie assessment and treatment) using the referral form.
Food Handler Training classes on September 29 and recertification on October 11 are cancelled. Registration fees will be refunded. Registrants will be provided with additional information by email or may visit hpePublicHealth.ca.
Healthy Families home visiting programs (Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Nurse Family Partnership) are cancelled. New referrals to these programs will be placed on a waiting list. Referrals can be sent online or faxed to 613-966-4363. For interim support, contact the following:
- For pregnancy/postpartum follow up, referrals and monitoring:
- primary care provider or walk-in clinic if no primary care provider
- obstetrician/midwife
- For general inquiries about mom and baby’s health:
- Health 811: call 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007
- For urgent medical emergencies or situational crisis:
- Local emergency department
- Crisis Intervention Centre (Quinte Health) 613-969-7400, toll free 1-888-757-7766
- For mental health support:
- Call Open Line Open Mind 310-OPEN (6736) or visit cmhahpe.ca
Healthy Schools programs including health promotion activities will be cancelled effective September 22. School clinics remain cancelled. Students can access care available through community partners.
Naloxone and safer drug use supplies will remain available at the Belleville HPEPH office; however, availability at branch offices will be paused effective September 22, for the duration of the work stoppage. Safer drug use supplies remain available through our community partners.
Oral Health clinics and school screening are cancelled effective September 22. Clients impacted by this cancellation will be contacted directly to advise of this cancellation and contacted after regular services resume with a new appointment date if necessary.
Sexual Health Clinics are cancelled. If individuals have questions or normally get birth control from public health, including in school-based clinics, they are encouraged to call 613-966-5500, ext. 243. For immediate sexual health testing and/or treatment needs, individuals are encouraged to see their primary care providers or a walk-in clinic.
Smoking cessation services are cancelled. During the interruption, individuals currently receiving service, or those interested in quitting smoking, should see their primary care provider, call Health Connect Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or visit STOP on the Net.
Tobacco and vaping: No smoking/no vaping signs requests (and mandatory retail sign requests) can be made through service Ontario.ca website.
Water sample collection bottles are currently available at all HPEPH offices; however, in the event of a CUPE work stoppage, locations and hours will be temporarily altered. For up-to-date drop-off locations, please refer to hpePublicHealth.ca
In the event of a CUPE work stoppage, public access to all HPEPH offices will be limited.
The most up to date information about service disruptions will be posted on our website, hpePublicHealth.ca.
The health and well-being of our clients is our top priority. We are working diligently to maintain core public health services and are hopeful that an agreement will be reached, and regular public health services can resume. Your patience and understanding are appreciated during this time.
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