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Northumberland Hills Hospital prepares as second wave of pandemic getting underway

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If you know anything about Boy Scouts, you would likely recognize its motto: Be Prepared. Our stories this week are about being prepared. This story is about Northumberland Hills Hospital’s preparation for the second wave of the pandemic. The provincial government, health officials, and others acknowledged the beginning of the second wave earlier this week. Forecasting models are showing a doubling of new cases every 10 to 12 days. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health

Eight new nurses hired as health unit collaborates with school boards as classrooms reopen

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As the clock ticks down to the reopening of local schools, the debate over safety and the concerns of parents, teachers, and others continue to be hashed over in meetings and in public. School boards are finalizing plans while reaching out to parents to keep them informed. Yet, in some aspects,  it is a very fluid situation. Teachers unions are seeking the intervention of the Ministry of Labour, adding uncertainty. The province is making last-minute decisions to provide school boards with flexibility around opening dates. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health

Health unit continues inspections and tracking as braces for fall season

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In the face of the pandemic, the transition to fall represents a pivotal moment on many levels. The most significant is the prediction of a potential second wave of the COVID-19 virus spreading. Students from kindergarten to university and college will be returning to the classroom either face-to-face or online. School boards and educators are working diligently to ensure students and teachers will be safe. For the rest of us, it has been around two months since the provincial government slowly transitioned into Stage 3 of its Economic Recovery plan. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health

Major funding announcement plus sage advice from hospital CEO

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There is a different energy when the premier and the minister of health show up to a funding announcement. To have Doug Ford and Christine Elliot, along with local MPP David Piccini, handing out major money for Northumberland Hills Hospital and Campbellford Memorial Hospital, is exciting. After years of penny-pinching, cutbacks, and efficiencies, everyone from the cleaners to the board of directors takes notice. But as with any funding announcement, there are a lot of numbers to sort through. What sounds like one thing is often not so clear. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Health, Politics

An inside look at one local nurse’s world during the pandemic

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This is the second of a two-part podcast taking us inside Northumberland Hills Hospital to look at what it is like to be a nurse working during a deadly pandemic. The first episode deals with a protest held on June 19, 2020, outside the office of MPP David Piccini in Port Hope. Please listen to both episodes. Driving throughout Northumberland County, there are many lawn signs praising the work of frontline workers, especially those in healthcare. Many people, including Premier Doug Ford, have called them heroes. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health

Nurses protest outside MPP’s office seeking right to negotiate contract, says union leader

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This is the first of a two-part podcast looking at the issues facing local nurses at Northumberland Hills Hospital. The first episode deals with a protest held on June 19, 2020, outside the office of MPP David Piccini in Port Hope. The second episode goes inside the hospital to look at what it is like to be a nurse working during a deadly pandemic. Please listen to both episodes. 

Driving throughout Northumberland County, there are many lawn signs praising the work of frontline workers, especially those in healthcare. Many people, including Premier Doug Ford, have called them heroes. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health, Politics

Local Chief Medical Officer gives timely update as province relaxes rules

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It is now an all too familiar mantra: physical distance, wash your hands, stay home, wear a mask. But, there is a lot more to it than just repeating those guidelines. Businesses are reopening. We are being given more chances to get outside and enjoy nature. This is something important especially for those who feel cooped up for the past two months. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health

Re-opening the economy a delicate balance, says local MPP

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The other day I was looking out my window only to see a local construction crew working on a roof. None of them were six feet apart. There was no physical distancing. The same day, I received an email from a national grocery chain heralding the expansion of hours, allowing more people into his company’s stores, along with the opening of meat counters and bakeries. Yet, scanning social media, there is a wave of people expressing their concerns that we are reopening too quickly. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Economy, Health, Politics

Community preparing for mental health issues related to COVID-19

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More and more we are hearing about the mental health echo. This is the effect of the pandemic on people’s psyche. The physical distancing, isolation, and other measures are placing unprecedented anxiety and stress on our lives. Mental health services in Northumberland are expanding. We have watched as new and existing organizations work hard to meet the needs of our community. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Consider This Northumberland, Community, Health