Service Disruption Notice
Nursing staff at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), who are represented by the Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA), have rejected the contract offered by HPEPH and are exercising their legal right to strike. Visitors to the HPEPH offices should be prepared to be delayed by a picket line.
All HPEPH offices remain open and certain critical services are continuing.
Smoking cessation services: Cancelled. 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
Baby & Me Drop-In: Cancelled. Clients are encouraged to contact Health811 (Call 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007) or their primary care provider to discuss any feeding/weight gain concerns.
Nurse-Family Partnership Program: On hold. Referrals can be sent online or faxed to 613-966-4363 and will be placed on a waiting list.
Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program: Running at modified capacity. Existing clients who are involved with the Blended Home Visiting Services will continue to receive support through their family home visitors; however, clients not involved with Blended Home Visiting and only receiving support through public health nurses will be placed on hold. New referrals to the HBHC program will be placed on a waiting list.
For interim support, current clients are encouraged to contact the following:
- For pregnancy follow up, referrals, and monitoring:
- Primary care provider or walk-in clinic, if no primary care provide
- Obstetrician/midwife
- For general inquiries about mom and baby’s health:
- Health811
- Telemed (if no primary care provider)
- 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:
- Open Line Open Mind 310-OPEN (6736) or visit cmhahpe.ca
Breastfeeding consultations: Cancelled. Clients are encouraged to call Health811 or contact their primary care provider if they have any breastfeeding/weight gain concerns. Physicians can refer clients to Dr. Lindsay Webster for breastfeeding/chestfeeding support (including tongue tie assessment and treatment) using the referral form.
Immunization clinics: Cancelled. Clients are encouraged to contact their family physicians or nurse practitioners for any necessary immunizations.
Note: Vaccine distribution to health care providers will continue.
Sexual Health Clinics: 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.
Note: 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. Public health will only be conducting prioritized contact notification during service disruption.
Please note that services not listed above will still be operating.
The health and well-being of our clients is our top priority. While programs not listed above will continue to operate, service delays are expected. The patience and understanding of the community are appreciated as we work to ensure that critical services are maintained.
At the current time, all HPEPH offices will remain open to the public as per their regular operating schedule.
Safer drug use supplies, including Naloxone, continue to be available at HPEPH offices in Belleville, Bancroft, and Quinte West, and from many participating community partners.
Water sample collection bottles continue to be available at all HPEPH offices. For drop-off locations, please refer to the Public Water Sample Bottle Drop-off Locations document.
Dental Clinics will continue to operate as usual.
Updates to service disruptions will be posted at hpePublicHealth.ca.
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