Hospice Peterborough Becomes Accredited Through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario And Achieves Near Perfect Score

Hospice Peterborough is now officially accredited through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) with a near-perfect score of 98.67 per cent.

Hospice Peterborough staff pose for a photo with HPCO accreditors who toured the building in Fall 2021 as part of the rigorous accreditation process. Photo courtesy of Hospice Peterborough.

The 98.67 per cent score offers a ‘stamp of approval’ signifying to clients, health professionals, community members and funders that it meets the highest standards for the delivery of consistent, quality service and care and is committed to continual learning and improvement.

“It is with much pride that I sincerely thank our incredible team of staff, board members and volunteers who have all worked so hard – on top of day-to-day duties – to make our dream of accreditation a reality,” said Hospice Peterborough executive director Hajni Hős. “We have demonstrated to healthcare peers that we consistently deliver outstanding care to the community with professionalism and compassion.”

The process involved a vigorous and comprehensive 18-month review of the residence, community programs, services and professional standards including everything from fiscal responsibility to resident safety to professional development for staff. Out of 134 hospice sites across the province, 35 currently hold HPCO accreditation.

Past executive director Linda Sunderland started the accreditation process, before the new building and residence were built on London Street, to ensure all operations were in line with industry standards and best practices.

The process also reviewed aspects such as governance, quality assurance, client care, fundraising and volunteer management. HPCO reviewed, for example, how Hospice Peterborough develops care plans for residents as well as emergency-response plans, volunteer safety and whether the organization is publicly transparent with fundraised dollars.

“Best practices are always evolving and we will never stop looking to learn and improve as an organization and a team,” said Hős.

Accreditation requires ongoing compliance, with regular interim reports, and must be renewed every three years.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Health Releases Guidelines For Safe Holiday Celebrations

As the holiday season approaches, the City of Peterborough and Peterborough Public Health encourage residents to continue to follow all Provincial requirements and public health guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the Province has eased certain restrictions to allow for more activities, Provincial emergency orders remain in effect and the City of Peterborough remains in an emergency declaration.

Recently, the Province has experienced increasing COVID-19 case counts, which emphasizes the need to follow safe practices during the pandemic.

“Our community is doing extremely well in getting vaccinated against COVID-19. We need to keep up those efforts,” Mayor Diane Therrien said. “Getting vaccinated reduces the chances of severe illness if you get COVID-19; however, vaccination doesn’t remove the need to be safe when socializing and celebrating the holidays during the pandemic.

Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health, reiterated that layering public health measures is the best way to reduce virus transmission.

“It’s the combination of practices such as vaccination, wearing well-made and tightly fitting masks, and distancing that help keep everyone safest,” he said. “It’s also important to recognize that others may have a lower tolerance for risk than you, and to respect their wishes if they prefer to introduce additional precautions.”

When heading out for activities over the holidays, PPH asks that community members remember:

• Events and gatherings are exciting, but close contact with non-household members, large crowds, and travelling can increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

• Holiday activities such as parties, parades, and organized gatherings must meet both local and provincial requirements.

• Only participate in holiday activities you know follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, and meet your comfort level.

• Follow capacity limits for indoor and outdoor gatherings/events, masking and distancing a minimum 2 metres from non-household members, considering vaccine status, etc.

• Outdoor settings are safer than indoors, but there is still risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially among unvaccinated or at-risk groups. Virtual is the safest way to celebrate.

• Stay home if you have symptoms and remember to self-screen for COVID-19 before going out.

Guidelines are set out under the Reopening Ontario Act (O.Reg. 364/20) providing direction for safe activities and other public health measures during the pandemic. Under these regulations, there are certain requirements that must be followed if planning holiday celebrations, and recommendations to reduce the risk to yourself and others.

For outdoor gatherings and events (including parades):

• Maximum capacity of 100 people outdoors

• Parade participants should remember:

• If people are not able to maintain 2 metres from non-household members, then you must wear a mask/face covering

Performers in parades should:

• Be fully vaccinated, and performers on floats should wear a face covering if unable to distance from others

• Avoid crowds as much as possible

• If individuals are unvaccinated or from multiple households, consider wearing a mask

Holding an event on City property, including parades on City streets, requires the completion of a special event permit that includes information on safety planning and insurance requirements. Depending on the special event being held, applications are reviewed by police, fire services, and the City’s traffic and public works divisions. Applications are required to be submitted 90 days in advance of an event. Peterborough Public Health would be consulted on public health requirements.

For the City’s Special Event Planning Guide, please visit https://www.peterborough.ca/en/explore-and-play/event-hosting.aspx.

After the Kinsmen Club announced it will not be organizing a Santa Claus parade this year due to the pandemic, the City has not received any applications for holding a Santa Claus parade this year.

Public health requirements and recommendations related to indoor gatherings and events (including private parties):

• The maximum capacity for social gatherings in private residences is 25 people indoors.

• The maximum capacity for other indoor settings (e.g., food service establishment, banquet hall, event space, etc.) can allow 25 people indoors for a social gathering. Depending on the facility, a higher capacity limit may be granted for businesses and organizations if a number of COVID-19 protocols are in place (see below).

• In most instances, proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., 2 doses of a 2-dose vaccine plus a 14-day period following the last vaccination) is required for high-risk indoor settings

• Masks are required to be worn inside, with exemptions including when people are eating or drinking

If the celebration is held in a meeting or event space, common room, or venue where facility staff are ‘in charge’ (e.g., food service) staff/guests are required to:

• Provide proof of full vaccine status at the point of entry

• Be actively screened at the point of entry

• Have their contact tracing information kept and stored for 30 days

• Abide by the safety plan requirements of that establishment

• Wear a mask at all times, with limited exceptions including while eating and drinking

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Booster Dose Appointments Available At Pharmacies And Provincial Booking System For Those Turning 50 Or Older

Starting Monday the provincial government will be expanding eligibility for COVID-19 booster doses to all residents turning 50 years of age or older in 2021.

In Peterborough region, this expanded eligibility will allow for an additional 37,289 residents to receive a booster dose. With this eligibility expansion, the following residents can book a COVID-19 booster dose appointment for a date that is at least 168 days (6 months) after a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was received:

• Residents 50 years of age or older (born in 1971 or before)

• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults and their non-Indigenous household members

• Individuals who received two doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

• Individuals who received one dose of the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

• Healthcare workers

Residents can determine the date when they become eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose using this guide.

Residents with certain health conditions, now including individuals receiving dialysis, can receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 56 days (2 months) after their second dose. These residents may walk in to any COVID-19 vaccine clinic for individuals who are 12 years of age or older and will be required to show a physician referral form at the time of appointment.

“As we continue to see COVID-19 cases rise in the province and locally, I strongly encourage every resident who is eligible to get a COVID-19 booster dose,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “Booster doses work to remind our immune system about a virus that they have previously been exposed to. Our immune system will quickly create antibodies and keep them circulating in the body and ready to defend if the COVID-19 virus enters.”

Effective December 13, eligible residents who received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 168 days prior, can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. Residents can book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the provincial vaccine booking system in the following ways:

• Online at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/ OR

• Over the phone by calling the provincial vaccine booking call centre at 1-833-943-3900

Residents can also book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a local participating pharmacy.

“We are seeing these clinics book up quickly. Peterborough Public Health is holding more vaccine clinics for residents 12 years of age and older at the Healthy Planet Arena and throughout the County of Peterborough,” said Dr. Piggott. “We ask for residents to be patient when booking an appointment. We also encourage residents to reach out to local pharmacies for appointments. Peterborough Region has 24 pharmacy locations that are administering COVID-19 booster doses.”

For more information about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, upcoming vaccine clinics, and booking a vaccine appointment, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/vaccineclinics.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Paramedics Dealt With A 'Perfect Storm' Influx Of Calls Monday Night

At around 5:30 p.m. on Monday night, popular Facebook page Peterborough Scanner Feed reported that there were no available ambulances in the City of Peterborough.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Paramedics.

Deputy Chief of Operations of Peterborough Paramedics, Chris Barry, said that while all on duty units were in use Monday night, Ontario paramedics operate ‘seamlessly’.

“It’s considered seamless meaning if there happened to be a nearby ambulance that wasn’t technically in our jurisdiction they would still respond to a call here in Peterborough,” he said.

On any given night shift Peterborough Paramedics have 7 units on the roads, and 10 units during the day shift. Each unit is staffed by two paramedics.

Barry said Monday night was a ‘perfect storm’ of factors that contributed to the lack of available Peterborough ambulances.

The inclement weather lead to an influx of calls, but because Peterborough Regional Hospital is implementing new software wait times are longer.

“We were notified a couple days ago by the hospital to let us know while its being introduced there’s potentially going to be some delays, but last night was just the perfect storm.”

Barry also noted that Peterborough Paramedics always experience an influx of calls this time of year due to flu season, and many doctors offices are closed or have reduced hours for the holidays - meaning hospitals are some peoples only means of care.

“This is not an everyday occurrence, though we do see this every year around this time,” said Barry. “We’re doing everything we can as a service to put more ambulances on the road. The hope is that everyone will be better prepared next time.”

Peterborough Paramedics just hired 11 probationary paramedics, and also notes that 100 per cent of paramedics working in Peterborough are double vaccinated, meaning no paramedics have been laid off due to COVID.

“We respond to a lot of calls that generally don’t need an ambulance,” said Barry.

In 2019 Peterborough Paramedic Chief appeared in a video titled ‘Is your Urgency and Emergency - It’s your Call’.

Barry says the message in that video still rings true.

“Often people think that if they’re brought to the hospital in an ambulance they’ll get seen quicker - which just isn’t true anymore.”

Whether a patient arrives on their own or by ambulance they are triaged.

Barry notes that by Tuesday morning they were back to normal service, having only one unit out of ten in use.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre to Close Pool Next Year For HVAC Renovation

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre pool will close at the end of the day on Dec. 31, 2021 until April 4, 2022 for the planned replacement of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Information on spring programming in the pool will be provided closer to April 2022.

For members who want to put memberships on hold during the pool closure, complete the hold request online at https://www.peterborough.ca/en/explore-and-play/member-services.aspx#Membership-Holds or at the front desk of the Centre.

A Wellness Centre update is available online at https://www.peterborough.ca/en/news/december-update-for-members-students-and-patrons.aspx.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

December 1 Proclaimed World AIDS Day in Peterborough

Mayor Diane Therrien officially proclaimed Dec. 1 as World AIDS Day in Peterborough on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy of PARN.

In a tweet by Therrien, she noted that an estimated 68,000 people worldwide died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2020.

Photo courtesy of Mayor Diane Therrien.

To commemorate the day, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN) placed red scarves around the city and invites anyone that is cold to take one.

Thank you to everyone who crafted and donated scarves to PARN for our Red Scarf Project. The scarves have been placed in the community today for World AIDS Day. If you are cold, take a scarf today! pic.twitter.com/1Ihl4kCyok

— PARN (@PARN4Counties) December 1, 2021

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Dr. Thomas Piggott Welcomed as Peterborough Public Health’s New Medical Officer of Health

Dr. Thomas Piggott arrived early Wednesday morning to a warm staff welcome and full slate of community health briefings to start his first day on the job as Peterborough Public Health’s new Medical Officer of Health and CEO.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Public Health.

“I’m excited to finally be here and join the tremendous team at Peterborough Public Health,” said Dr. Piggott. “My top priority is to connect with as many of our stakeholders as possible to understand local priorities and how together we can strategically advance the public health of our community.”

In addition to taking over as Incident Commander for the local COVID-19 Emergency Response, Dr. Piggott will be meeting with representatives across every sector in the community in the coming weeks, including local Indigenous leaders, municipalities, healthcare and social service organizations, education institutions, businesses, environmental groups, and many more. He will also serve on numerous provincial committees as well, including the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health.

“While there are many pressing issues locally and opportunities for positive change, addressing the opioid crisis and responding to climate change are areas I expect will become a major focus for us in the years ahead,” stated Dr. Piggott. “There is already a great deal of good work happening on these fronts and I want to help our team focus on equity, or fairness, in these areas and all of the work we do. For now, the priority will be the continued pandemic response and I commit to evidence-based and transparent local decision-making to guide collaborative efforts in keeping this community safe and healthy.”

Dr. Piggott’s first public speaking engagement will take place on Thursday at the next bi-weekly COVID-19 media briefing.

He will also be presenting a virtual education session on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. for parents and caregivers with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11 years.

He is planning to attend several local upcoming municipal council meetings as well, starting with a budget presentation to the County of Peterborough Council on Dec. 15.

“There's a lot of work to do, but for today, I'm just excited to start getting to know the fantastic team that I'm joining and the people and organizations in this wonderful community.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Peterborough Public Health Activates Extreme Cold Response Plan

With an early start to the winter and colder weather ahead, Peterborough Public Health has activated its Extreme Cold Response Plan (ECRP) to advise residents on the best way to protect their health when temperatures plummet.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough

“We all need to take precautions during cold weather to prevent illness and injuries such as frostbite and hypothermia,” said Julie Ingram, Manager of Environmental Health. “Most healthy people can tolerate a short period of cold weather if they are dry and properly dressed. Our alert system is designed to advise the public when there is an increased risk and what actions they can take to prevent cold weather-related injuries.”

Ingram noted that trend data indicates a doubling in the rate of local emergency department visits related to cold exposure between 2009 and 2018. In addition, between September 2020 and October 2021, there were 26 emergency department visits in the Peterborough area related to cold exposure.

People who are more vulnerable to the risks of cold temperatures include the elderly, infants less than one year old, people with a history of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes, and people who are homeless or marginally housed. People who are homeless in particular spend long periods of time outside and can suffer increased health effects from the cold even at warmer temperatures.

Peterborough Public Health’s ECRP has three levels of notification:

• Frostbite Alert

• Frostbite Warning

• Cold Weather Emergency

The most common form of extreme cold notification is a Frostbite Alert. Last season, there were four Frostbite Alerts issued, and none from the other two categories. Frostbite alerts are issued when temperatures are forecasted to be from -27° to -38° Celsius or a wind chill of -27° to -38° Celsius. In these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 to 30 minutes. Residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• cover unprotected skin

• avoid prolonged outdoor exposure

• drink warm fluids

• check on neighbours

• maintain a warm indoor environment (ideally 20° Celsius or warmer)

Notifications of frostbite alerts and warnings will be posted on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca and Peterborough Public Health’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, as well as issued to the media and stakeholder groups when the forecasted temperature or wind chill may result in an increased risk of frostbite. Most townships and Curve Lake First Nation post extreme weather alerts on their websites and social media channels.

City of Peterborough Social Services also has a Cold Weather Protocol that takes effect in cold weather, which may trigger extended hours of operation for the Drop-In program.

When Social Services activates their Cold Weather Protocol they will share information regarding the locations and times of emergency shelters and any relevant outreach programs, as well as reminders to get out of the cold during periods of extreme cold.

A cold alert will be issued by Social Services when the temperature drops below -15° Celsius with a wind chill.

One Roof Community Centre drop-in at 99 Brock St. will extend their hours of operation during a cold alert from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Normal hours of operation for drop-ins is from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a take away meal available between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

Free Online Information Session About COVID-19 Vaccine for Ages 5-11

A free online information session regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5-11 will be held by Peterborough Public Health announced Monday.

Stock Photo.

The live online session will be on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. on Peterborough Public Health’s YouTube channel. Dr. Thomas Piggot, local medical officer of health, for parents and guardians about the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine will be on the stream to field questions and address the public.

“Dr. Piggott is looking forward to connecting with parents, caregivers and youth and sharing the latest information on the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine,” said Donna Churipuy, public health programs director. “This will be one of his first opportunities to engage with the community and address the questions residents have about the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine as we work together to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus.”

Dr. Piggott will be joined by local paediatrician, Dr. Henry Ukpeh. Dr. Ukpeh will share his professional experience and knowledge of paediatric vaccinations to help parents and guardians make an informed choice about permitting their children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 5-11.

Their presentation will cover the latest updates on the paediatric COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in children ages 5-11 and wrap up with a section on frequently asked questions.

Dr. Piggott and Dr. Ukpeh invite residents to ask questions in advance. They will try to address as many questions in their presentation. Residents who wish to submit questions in advance will be invited to do so as part of the online registration process. Residents who do not wish to submit a question can tune into the Peterborough Public Health YouTube channel on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. for a live stream for the event.

Online registration is available on www.eventbrite.ca and search for “5-11 COVID-19 Vaccine information Session” or clicking here. The event will be lived streamed for free on Peterborough Public Health’s YouTube channel.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.