Friday, November 06, 2009
Three Flu Centres Open in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties
Influenza (Flu) Assessment, Treatment and Referral Centres have been set up in three locations in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. It has been important to open these Centres in order to meet patient demands for influenza care in several locations. The opening of these centres is part of the Leeds Grenville Lanark Tri-County Pandemic Plan and is a co-ordinated effort between the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit and partnering health care providers.
These sites have expanded their hours and services to accommodate anyone who has influenza-like symptoms and needs medical attention quickly and possible treatment with antiviral medication (see high risk groups below). No appointment is necessary. Centres are open to all members of the Public.
- Smiths Falls Community Health Centre, 2 Gould Street, Smiths Falls
Open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- North Lanark Community Health Centre, 207 Robertson Drive, Lanark Village
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. – 12 noon and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m. – 12 noon
- Kemptville District Hospital Emergency Room
November 5th to November 11th 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Additional clinic dates and times subject to demand) NOTE: The Brockville Family Health Team (patients should call their family physician office for further direction), the Community and Primary Health Care Family Health Team and a number of LGL physicians have made special arrangements for their patients to be assessed quickly within their own practice.
Anyone who has influenza-like symptoms and is in a higher risk group should call their own health care provider quickly to ask for an appointment or to receive instructions as to where to go for assessment and treatment.
High risk groups include:
- people with underlying medical conditions such as cardiac disease, lung diseases, diabetes, cancer, renal disease
- people over the age of 65
- children under age 5
- pregnant women
- children under 18 years of age on long-term acetylsalicylic acid therapy
Anyone who has severe or worsening illness should go to the nearest Emergency Department
Severe or worsening illness includes:
- difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- continuous vomiting or severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration
- confusion
- seizures
- extreme lack of energy
Contact: Susan Healey, BA, Communications Co-ordinator, 613-345-5685 or 613-802-0550.
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