The Northumberland Hills Hospital COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre came full circle this week, when it moved from the trailer outside the Emergency Department to the same space it opened in almost two years ago: - the Ambulatory Care Unit immediately inside the hospital’s main entrance.
With ongoing support from a multidisciplinary team of NHH staff, local primary-care providers and Ontario Health Team-Northumberland partners, the expanded NHH COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre service is now offering a mix of virtual and in-person supports in an expanded and easier-to-access one-stop-shopping model.
It's all designed to bring additional clinical assessment services and support to a very specific patient cohort – those experiencing a worsening of symptoms from known or suspected COVID-19 infection,. The enhanced centre also continues to serve those with influenza-like symptoms and concerns, and co-ordinates local PCR testing for those who are eligible. In future, as treatment options for COVID-19 gain Health Canada approval, the expanded centre is also well positioned to add treatments to its list of services.
“NHH has been operating a COVID-19 assessment and testing site since the very early days of Wave 1,” President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said in the announcement.
“Ontario Health reached out to existing centres on Dec. 31 with an urgent request to expand the assessment services offered. We quickly formed a working group, and today’s announcement is the result.
“From a system perspective, our goal is to sustain current COVID-19 services, like testing of high-risk and vulnerable populations, while also integrating new virtual and in-person clinical supports from specially trained nurses and primary-care providers to better help those with known or suspected infection with COVID-19, and conserving capacity in Emergency Departments.”
Dr. Erin Pepper, Assessment Centre physician, said they are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.
“While Northumberland saw lower cases of COVID-19 infections in earlier waves with previous variants, Omicron cases, unfortunately, are on the rise,” Dr. Pepper said.
“People, particularly those who are not vaccinated, and those with other complicating factors, like age or pre-existing chronic conditions, are getting sick. Without alternate resources, Emergency Departments could be overwhelmed.
“We hope it will not be necessary, but our enhanced service aims to take pressure off area Emergency Departments by offering a specialized one-stop-shop for those who need help with worsening COVID-19 symptoms. At the same time we want to offer additional support for those who just have questions, such as a parent of a child with influenza-like symptoms. To that end, we’re offering one local number to call where we will help you or get you the COVID-related help that you need.”
The staff mix within the expanded centre includes navigators, nurses and primary-care providers (doctors and nurse practitioners). Accessed through the centre’s existing 1-905-377-7783 phone line, the team will provide support by phone and, as required, in person. On the recommendation of the NHH Patient and Family Advisory Council, additional phone capacity (including a toll-free dial-in) is being investigated.
All callers are triaged through the navigators, who will pose a series of questions and direct the caller as appropriate. Virtual consults with regional specialists will also be incorporated, as required, allowing the team to “flex up” should need arise.
Location, contact information and hours of operation
The NHH COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre is currently located inside the main entrance of Northumberland Hills Hospital at 1000 DePalma Dr., Cobourg in the Ambulatory Care Clinic. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is recommended that all patients call 905-377-7783 for assessment prior to arriving on-site, though walk-in patients will be accepted. Enter via the main front entrance during the hours noted above. In all urgent situations, patients are encouraged to call 911 or go directly to the nearest Emergency Department.
Universal masking requirement and no food or drink
All patients accessing the centre will be required to don the mask that will be provided on entry. Food and drink will be strictly prohibited. The COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre wait area has been designated a “quiet area” to minimize talking and interaction and, with it, risk of close contact. Physical-distancing measures will be maintained with support from the NHH screeners, who support the hospital team at the main front entrance to the hospital/centre.
For the latest information on COVID-19, including links to related resources, please see the COVID section on the hospital’s website at nhh.ca/covid-19.
