Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Central Health would like to advise the public that it continues in a holding pattern in the suspension of patient and resident transfers to healthcare facilities within the Eastern Health and Western Health region. The Regional Health Authority suspended the transfer of patients and residents on Monday August 8, 2022, after weather and air quality conditions became more favorable in the Central Newfoundland region.
Please note that this is a suspension of transfers only, repatriation (return trips) will not be taking place at this time. The Regional Health Authority is prepared to resume transfers should conditions again be deemed unfavorable.
For anyone with questions about loved ones who have been transferred to another health care facility, Central Health has set up a dedicated phone line at 1-833-960-4571. This number will provide access to a number of services including a 24/7 family inquiries line which will provide information about patients or residents who are transferred outside of central region due to the evacuation. This number will also direct callers to Central Health’s Client Navigator and Client Relations staff who will be available from 8:00am to 8:00pm.
Should conditions remain stable, Central Health will begin a transition to a resumption of services at CNRHC on Wednesday August 10, 2022.
CNRHC Service Status for Wednesday, August 10, 2022:
Emergency Services
Emergency Services remain open at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre (CNRHC) in Grand Falls-Windsor, however, anyone requiring admission will be transferred to another facility based on the care need.
Central Health would also ask that only those requiring emergency services present at this time.
Elective and non-urgent services
Ambulatory clinics will reopen and will proceed as previously booked.
Endoscopy procedures will resume. Patients with appointments will be notified
Day surgery procedures will resume. Patients with booked procedures will be contacted.
Anyone who had cancelled appointments or procedures on August 8 or August 9 will be contacted and rescheduled.
Laboratory Services
Appointments booked for Wednesday, August 10, will proceed, however, walk in services will be unavailable.
Urgent and chemotherapy related requests are being accommodated as per provider direction.
Appointments that were cancelled on August 8 and August 9 are being rebooked.
Medical Imaging Services
Medical Imaging outpatient services will return to normal capacity.
Appointments scheduled going forward will remain.
Patients who had cancelled appointments are being contacted with a new appointment time.
Cardiopulmonary and Rehabilitative Services
Cardiopulmonary outpatient appointments will return to normal capacity. Scheduled appointments will proceed as usual. Patients who had appointments cancelled are being contacted for rescheduling.
All outpatient appointments for Rehabilitative Services will resume on Wednesday, August 10. Appointments that were cancelled for August 8 and August 9 will be rebooked.
Other Services
All cancer services and in-centre dialysis will go ahead.
Obstetric Services
All OBS services have been diverted to James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre (JPMRHC) in Gander.
If you are in labour or labour is imminent, please proceed to JPMRHC.
Doorways
Doorways services are available either through in-person (walk-in) at Community Health building – Queensway or via telephone (call 489-8941).
Mobile Crisis Response Teams, FACT (Flexible Assertive Community Treatment) and ODT (Opioid Dependency Treatment) teams
All continue to operate
Community Mental Health and Addictions Services – Queensway Community Health Building
Booked appointments will go ahead as scheduled. If you are unable to attend your appointment, please call 489-8841 to cancel.
For up to date programs and services for Mental Health and Addictions, please use this website: https://nl.bridgethegapp.ca.
Residents requiring emergency services during this time are advised to call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Central Health apologizes for this interruption of service and thanks the public for their understanding and patience as we continue to focus on providing safe and quality care for the residents of the central region. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Central Health’s Client Navigator for assistance at 1-844-651-6214 or clientnavigation@centralhealth.nl.ca.
The latest Central Health updates can be found at http://www.centralhealth.nl.ca and on Twitter or Facebook @CentralHealthNL.
Health Hub
Central Health's Health Hub is available to ALL residents of Central Newfoundland who have non-emergent medical issues, who do not have a family physician or whose family physician is not available. Health Hub clinics are open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 8:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. To reach the Health Hub, please call the Gander Medical Clinic at 709-381-0112 or 709-381-0338 or the Killick Clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor at 709-292-8404. Patients should expect an increase in wait times for both in person and virtual appointments at Health Hub Sites. For more on Health Hubs click here.
811 HealthLine
Residents are also reminded of the 811 HealthLine which they can avail of anytime. 811 Healthline is a confidential and free telephone line staffed by experienced Registered Nurses. 811 is available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, of any age. Call 811 at any time, day or night, to speak to a Registered Nurse. They are always there for you.
The HealthLine has a nurse practitioner (NP) virtual care service. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with additional education and experience who can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, if required, to treat a variety of common health care conditions at every stage of life. This service can prevent unnecessary emergency room visits for non-emergent issues. Appointments with NPs over the phone or by video are available everyday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, including weekends. PLEASE NOTE THAT, DEPENDING ON APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY, IT COULD TAKE UP TO 3 DAYS TO SEE THE 811 NP.
