Pulmonary Function Testing Services Resume at Campbellford Memorial Hospital

The Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) has announced Tuesday the return of Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) services, expanding access to diagnostic testing for patients in Trent Hills and throughout Northumberland, Hastings and Peterborough counties.

The return of PFT services is part of CMH’s broader efforts to expand access to diagnostic services within the community. photo courtesy of the campbellford memorial hospital.

The resumption of PFT services supports earlier diagnosis and improved management of respiratory conditions, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), while allowing patients to access testing closer to home.

“Having Pulmonary Function Testing available again at CMH means patients no longer need to travel to facilities outside their community for this important diagnostic service,” said Wendy Cross, Respiratory Therapist at CMH. “It allows us to support timely testing and helps clinicians make informed decisions sooner.”

Testing will be completed by CMH’s Respiratory Therapy team with results interpreted by a CMH physician. 

“Pulmonary Function Testing is a critical tool in diagnosing and managing respiratory disease,” said Dr. Shiyam Loganathan, who will be responsible for reading and interpreting PFT results. “Providing this service locally improves access, reduces delays, and ultimately supports better patient outcomes.”

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Named One of Canada’s Best Employers

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has been recognized for the second year in a row by Forbes as one of Canada's Best Employers, announced Tuesday.

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PRHC is among the top 20 hospital employers nationwide, and 245 overall among 300 Canadian employers across all sectors.

“Healthcare workers choose their careers because they care for people, and it is critical in turn that we take care of them,” says Dr. Lynn Mikula, President and CEO of PRHC. “This is why one of our top priorities as an organization is to be a workplace where people can thrive.

PRHC is the region’s largest employer, with more than 3,100 staff, 450 physicians and a group of 250 volunteers delivering acute healthcare to a population of 600,000 in Peterborough and the surrounding communities, including the First Nations of Curve Lake, Alderville and Hiawatha. The 2024-2029 Strategic Plan highlights the hospital’s commitment to being a workplace where people can thrive.

“Every day, our healthcare workers, staff, physicians and volunteers bring the best of themselves to their work, and together, they make this hospital the incredible place that it is,” continued Mikula. “It is wonderful to have PRHC recognized for a second consecutive year as one of the top hospital employers in the country, and we look forward to continuing our work to make PRHC even better as one team, here when you need us most.”

The annual Forbes list of Canada’s Best Employers is developed by asking survey respondents if they would recommend their employer to others based on a range of criteria, including compensation, work flexibility, training opportunities and leadership programs.

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Campbellford Memorial Hospital’s Laboratory Reports Record Testing Volumes and Strong Performance In 2025

The Campbellford Memorial Hospital (CMH) is highlighting the work and performance of its Laboratory Services following the release of the 2025 year-end results, which demonstrate high testing volumes, quality outcomes and timely results.

photo courtesy of the campbellford memorial hospital.

In 2025, CMH’s Core Laboratory collected more than 66,000 samples and performed nearly 149,000 tests. When broken down into individual components, this represents close to 470,000 reported results over the course of the year.

“These numbers really reflect both the volume and complexity of the work our team handles every day,” said Zoe Neilly, Laboratory Manager at CMH. “Behind every sample is a patient waiting for answers, and our staff are committed to delivering accurate, timely results that clinicians can rely on.”

In addition to routine testing, the laboratory made more than 3,300 critical result calls in 2025. These are direct, real-time communications to clinical teams when results indicated potentially life-threatening conditions. 

“Critical result calls are some of the most important moments in our work,” continued Neilly. “They require immediate action, clear communication, and absolute accuracy. Our team takes that responsibility very seriously.”

CMH’s laboratory also continued to invest in quality and modernization, implementing new equipment, introducing online booking for outpatient appointments and expanding in-house testing capabilities while.

Community members who have recently used the lab for outpatient services are encouraged to complete the new patient satisfaction survey.

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Peterborough Regional Health Centre Launches Emergency Department Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway

A new Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway is available starting Monday for patients with minor illnesses and injuries in Peterborough Regional Health Centre’s (PRHC) Emergency Department.

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The online Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway (STEP) will allow patients to be pre-screened for minor illnesses and injuries, including respiratory symptoms, minor limb injuries and urinary tract infections.

Before arriving at the hospital, patients will be asked to complete an online survey to determine their eligibility for this care pathway based on their symptoms.

Patients who complete the survey and are eligible for STEP will be provided with a confirmation message and asked to come to the Emergency Department as usual. Upon arrival, these patients will check in at the Emergency Department triage desk and show the Registration Clerk their confirmation of STEP eligibility, and will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis by a dedicated physician. Once the triage nurse has verified the patient’s eligibility, they will be directed to the STEP area of the Green Zone waiting room, where they will wait to be seen by a physician.

If you complete the survey and STEP isn’t the right pathway for your care, you will be asked to come to the Emergency Department and go through the normal triage process.

A STEP physician will be available to see patients with minor illnesses and injuries from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“STEP is one of many initiatives our Emergency Department has taken on to help reduce wait times and patient length-of-stay,” said Jessica Jackson, Director of Emergency, Critical Care, Respiratory Services and Trauma at PRHC. “We want to ensure that we are able to streamline our patients in the most efficient way possible to improve their care and experience, and with the support of leadership and staff across the hospital, we will continue to invest in these and other efforts to make innovations like STEP possible.”

The STEP survey can be accessed directly online.

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Local Nurse Authors Literature About Nursing Self Help With Book Launch This Tuesday at The Vine

Local nurse of 18 years, Shawna Longford, has authored her first piece of literature, ‘Witness: Bring present for your patients, your colleagues, and yourself,’ and is holding a book launch at The Vine this Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The book’s cover. Longford graduated from Trent University in 2005. Photo courtesy of Shawna Longford.

The book was initially meant as a self-help book for nurses but could be for anyone with front-line professions, according to Longford.

“My intention was to support new people and help prolong careers,” she explained.

Longford has laid out in detail who the book is for:

• Anyone who has served in a profession that has wounded them physically, mentally or emotionally

• Those who understand the costs associated with the jobs that require duty and sacrifice

• People who have experienced PTSD, moral injury, compassion fatigue and burnout

• Someone looking for a way to sustain their career in healthcare or human services

• Leaders and educators curious about ways to teach and support resilience

• The recruitment and retention of nurses

Longford worked on the book four years ago and completed it this past summer. It was edited, written and printed locally with the help of five other contributors.

Books are available during the launch, with Longford doing signings. The Vine will have complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks during the event. Signature cocktails and other drinks are also available for purchase during the launch.

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Peterborough Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic Relocating as of July 12

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) has announced that the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) clinic, which provides expedited, barrier-free treatment for individuals experiencing withdrawal from opioids, alcohol and other substances, will be relocating to 432 George St. North as of Wednesday, July 12.

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The clinic will be co-located with the new George Street Pharmacy, operated by the Burnham Pharmacy team, allowing the RAAM Clinic to continue offering its services in an accessible downtown location. The clinic and pharmacy will each operate independently at this shared location, with ongoing support for RAAM clinic operations from our partners at Fourcast.

The RAAM clinic will continue to be staffed by PRHC physicians and registered nurses (RNs). No appointment or physician referral is necessary, although referrals from doctors, nurses, social workers, addiction counsellors and community providers are welcome. The clinic offers same-day counselling and medication for withdrawal and prescription therapies. This care model has been shown to help save lives by engaging clients with both short- and long-term therapies as soon as they are ready to pursue those treatments.

PRHC and the RAAM Clinic would like to thank the 360 Degree NPLC for its partnership and support over the last year. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the 360 Degree NPLC to provide excellent care to our community.

All RAAM Clinic partners share a vision for ongoing collaborative partnerships amongst healthcare providers to enhance services for our community. First opened in 2018, the Rapid Access Addiction Medicine model is designed to initiate therapy for withdrawal from opioids, alcohol and other substances and then triage clients to the most appropriate ongoing care provider. The RAAM Clinic works closely with other healthcare providers and resources in the community to ensure clients have access to additional supports following their initial treatment as they move through the continuum of care. The clinic is not intended to replace or duplicate the care provided by a family physician or other primary care providers.

The new RAAM clinic hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. No referral is necessary, and walk-in appointments are welcome.

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