UPDATED: Service Disruption Notice
Please be aware that staff at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are exercising their legal right to strike starting tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. HPEPH staff represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) continue to be engaged in a legal strike as well. Please see our updated 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 (please see the September 15 Public Health Bulletin for additional information), 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 health care provider for any necessary immunizations. Many local pharmacies will also be offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines later this fall.
Vaccine orders for routine immunizations and STI medications continue to be available through HPEPH by using our vaccine order forms; however, please note that our vaccine delivery/pickup procedure has changed.Vaccines can be picked up from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. only. No other services will be provided at these times. Please call upon arrival and be prepared for a short wait as staff retrieve your order.
- Trenton: Wednesday only
- Belleville: Monday to Friday
- Bancroft: Monday and Tuesday only
- Picton: Monday to Friday
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 Service Disruption Notice below which has been provided to the community and is available on our website.
HPEPH offices in Picton, Quinte West, and Bancroft are closed. The Belleville office is closed, except for select services by appointment only as indicated below.
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 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.
Food Handler Training is cancelled. Registration fees will be refunded. Registrants will be provided with additional information by email or visit hpePublicHealth.ca.
Healthy Families home visiting programs are cancelled (Healthy Babies Healthy Children and Nurse Family Partnership). For interim support, contact the following:
- For pregnancy or 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:
- 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 are cancelled. School clinics remain cancelled. Students may access care available through community partners.
Immunization clinics
- School and routine immunization clinics are cancelled. Clients are encouraged to contact their health care provider for any necessary immunizations. Families can report their child's immunization records to public health, as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act, 1990 (ISPA) and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA), at https://hpechu.icon.ehealthontario.ca. Please note: If you encounter any difficulties updating/accessing your/your child's immunization record we will assist you when the labour disruption is over.
- Influenza and COVID-19 clinics are cancelled. Many local pharmacies will be offering flu and COVID-19 vaccines later this fall.
Naloxone and safer drug use supplies remain available at the Belleville HPEPH office, however availability at branch offices is paused 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. 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 bottle pickup locations have been modified for the duration of the work stoppage. Please refer to hpePublicHealth.ca for the most up to date list of locations.
The health and well-being of our clients is our top priority. While programs not listed above will continue to operate, they may be offered in a different way and service delays are expected. The patience and understanding of the community are appreciated as we work to ensure that critical core services are maintained.
Updated notice of any service disruptions will be posted at hpePublicHealth.ca.
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