Central Health is advising the public of a reduction of elective and non-urgent services and procedures at Central Health facilities between Gambo and Badger following the advisory of Alert Level 4 by the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Emergency Services are operating as per usual. This includes the Kittiwake Coast, Gander and Surrounding Area, New World Island, Notre Dame Bay, Bay of Exploits, Grand Falls-Windsor and Surrounding area, and Badger
Facilities outside of these areas continue to operate under Alert Level 2 restrictions. This includes the Baie Verte Peninsula, Green Bay, Buchans and Surrounding Area, the Connaigre Peninsula, Fogo Island, Change Islands and the Eastport Peninsula. There is no change in service at this time in these areas.
A map outlining communities within the Alert Level 4 region can be found here.
Surgical Services
Only urgent/emergent surgeries will take place
All other elective surgeries will be rebooked
Ambulatory Clinics
Only urgent/emergent Ambulatory Clinic appointments will take place
All appointments will be reviewed with our Physician providers and booked virtually, where possible, or rescheduled.
Ambulatory Clinic staff will be in contact with all individuals with booked appointments.
Urgent/emergent Laboratory and Medical Imaging services will proceed. These include:
Laboratory Services
Patients requiring INR
Patients being administered immunotherapy including chemotherapy, biologics, methotrexate, etc.
Cancer patients
And other tests that are assessed to be stat or urgent by the ordering health care provider
Medical Imaging Services
General X-ray, Diagnostic Mammography, Computer Tomography (CT), Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Nuclear Medicine requisitions are being screened with only emergent/urgent patients being completed.
Testing scheduled for cancer follow up and treatments are being completed.
Patients will be contacted by a member of the Medical Imaging Department to confirm whether your study will be going ahead as scheduled, the time of the appointment or whether there is a need to postpone at this time.
Cardiopulmonary and Rehabilitative Services
Urgent/emergent Cardiopulmonary and Rehabilitative Services will proceed.
All booked appointments are being screened and booked patients will be contacted regarding their appointment.
Other Services
All cancer services will continue
In-centre dialysis will continue
Obstetric Services (and testing) will continue
Doorways, Mobile Crisis Response Teams, FACT (Flexible Assertive Community Treatment) and ODT (Opioid Dependency Treatment) teams will continue. For up to date programs and services for Mental Health and Addictions, please use this website: https://nl.bridgethegapp.ca/
All urgent/emergent appointments at outpatient clinics will continue
· Central Health primary care clinics will continue. Where possible, virtual clinics may replace in-person appointments.
Appointments that are cancelled will be rebooked at a future date. Please remember that only urgent and emergent diagnostic and therapeutic services and procedures will continue.
Please note that if your condition worsens, please contact 811, your primary care provider, specialist or emergency department.
You will be asked questions regarding COVID-19 symptoms at all facility entry points and health care appointments. Anyone entering a facility is required to wear a mask at all times.
For any questions or concerns, please call Client Navigator line is 1-844-651-6214. If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, a COVID-19 self-assessment test can be taken at https://www.811healthline.ca/covid-19-self-assessment.
The latest Central Health updates can be found at http://www.centralhealth.nl.ca and on Twitter or Facebook @CentralHealthNL.
Social distancing in waiting rooms and spacing of appointments is required. Please remember that frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds and social distancing is important to limit the spread of COVID-19.
At this time, Central Health is also asking that all individuals present to emergency rooms and to health care appointments at Central Health facilities on their own unless a support person is required. One parent can accompany children in the emergency department or for other appointments.
As you know, this is an evolving situation and we will continue to provide updates regularly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
-30-
Gayle St. Croix
Director of Communications and Government Relations
Central Health
cell: (709) 572 1165
