SLMHC shares COVID-19 restriction update
Tim Brody - Editor
Policies at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) have been adjusted following the provincial government declaring a second State of Emergency in Ontario, which came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 14.
“Here at SLMHC, we recognize our communities are doing an excellent job at keeping the rates of COVID-19 low in our region. In light of concerns across the province, we ask all to continue adhering to provincial measures and doing what you can to stay home and stop the spread. This is especially important as SLMHC remains prepared to ready for assisting with our partner hospitals and prepare for surge capacity,” SLMHC shared in a news update on Jan. 13.
“SLMHC staff and physicians will do our part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19,” said Heather Lee, President and CEO of SLMHC. “It is our expectation that all of our employees and physicians will adhere to provincial restrictions. Additionally, SLMHC continues to be prepared to do our part to keep bed capacity available, and ready ourselves should we have to assist our partner hospitals in the future.”
SLMHC shared that as of January 14, 2021:
- “Visitors, including essential care partners for inpatients and outpatients at the hospital site, will be restricted for the next 28 days. Exceptions include:
- Maternity patients in labour and throughout their stay may have one essential care partner.
- Pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) may have one essential care partner.
- Palliative patients may have one essential care partner. Dependent on circumstances in hospital, exceptions will be considered for patients/residents at end-of-life to have other immediate family in the room.
- Patients attending for emergency services in the ER may have one essential care partner. Other extenuating circumstances must be discussed and approved by our health care administration.
- Residents at the William A. George Extended Care facility may have one essential care partner.
- The cafeteria will remain open to patients/essential care partners for take-out only.”
SLMHC stated it will be making efforts to conduct appointments virtually wherever possible, adding that its laboratory will remain open for people coming in for laboratory testing and blood work.
SLMHC also shared that, “As a reminder, SLMHC continues to keep the Ambulatory Care entrance closed. Our Main Entrance (next to the Hostel) is open from Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for outpatient clients such as those coming in for lab work or scheduled appointments. We remind the public to use the Main Entrance for outpatient appointments as this helps us keep the Emergency entrance less congested and in-line with efforts to keep physical distancing a priority.
“Our Emergency entrance remains open 24/7 for those coming into the Emergency Department or those who are approved essential care partners coming to visit an inpatient.
“Both of these entrances have COVID-19 screening in place and all coming through are reminded to wear a face mask and adhere to provincial public health measures.”
SLMHC’s news update concluded, “For residents who are concerned they may have COVID-19 symptoms, Our COVID-19 Assessment Centre remains open and appointments can be booked by calling (807) 737-5880. The entrance for the Assessment Centre is located adjacent to the Emergency entrance with clear signage and designated parking spaces.
“The Northwestern Health Unit continues to operate their COVID-19 hotline at 1-866-468-2240 and houses information about COVID-19 and our region on their website at www.nwhu.on.ca.
“For more information about SLMHC, our services and how we are currently impacted by COVID-19, please visit our website at www.slmhc.on.ca/covid19 and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @menoyawin.”