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News Release

ConnectMyHealth Launches in Sarnia-Lambton

LAMBTON COUNTY – ConnectMyHealth, a digital health solution that provides patients with an online, single access channel to view their health records from participating hospitals in the Southwestern Ontario region, is now available to the public. The online portal can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices and is free to use.

The development and implementation of ConnectMyHealth is managed by the HITS eHealth Office at Hamilton Health Sciences, is funded by Ontario Health, and is available to patients in Ontario Health West Region in collaboration with local Ontario Health Teams.

“We are excited to unveil this new online tool and for the public to begin utilizing this service to access their health data from anywhere,” says Nadine Neve, Interim Executive Lead, Sarnia-Lambton OHT. “ConnectMyHealth will not only empower patients in their healthcare journey, it will improve health outcomes and enhance care planning conversations between patients and their providers.”

Evidence indicates that patients having access to their results improves their understanding of their health conditions, increases engagement in their care and builds stronger relationships with their healthcare providers. 

ConnectMyHealth combines various types of health records created at hospitals in the Ontario Health West Region into one, consolidated view. Here, patients can access health records including radiology reports and images, laboratory and microbiology results and hospital discharge summaries. Additional data sources, like community-based laboratories and radiology clinics, are expected to be added in the near future.

Patients can register by visiting info.connectmyhealth.ca/register.

More information about the online portal can be found at info.connectmyhealth.ca.

 

 

News Release

COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics Closing

LAMBTON COUNTY – March 31, 2023 – Due to decreases in instances of COVID-19, the COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinics (CCFCC) in Sarnia-Lambton will be closing. The centers affected by these closures include Twin Bridges CCFCC, Rapids Family Health Team CCFCC, Rural CCFCC (Wyoming Wellness Centre) and Grand Bend CCFCC. The last day of operation for COVID-19 testing and respiratory assessments will be Friday, March 31, 2023.

COVID-19 Testing and assessment has been available in Sarnia-Lambton since March of 2020, initially with testing only and eventually expanding in December 2022 to providing full assessments for anyone with COVID, cold and flu-like illness. The centres also ensured access to anti-viral treatments. They have been key partners in the COVID-19 response over the past three years. 

To date over 111,770 PCR tests and over 7,371 clinical assessments have been completed in Sarnia-Lambton.

For patients seeking COVID-19 assessment, testing or antiviral treatment after March 31, 2023:

  • Contact your Primary Care Provider; or
  • Visit Ontario’s COVID-19 web page (www.ontario.ca/covid19) to find a local pharmacy who offers COVID-19 testing and treatment

Residents of Sarnia-Lambton are encouraged to continue taking actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including masking in public spaces, keeping up-to-date with vaccinations, washing their hands and staying home when sick (unless seeking medical care).

Rapids Family Health Team and Wyoming Wellness Center will continue to provide additional access for Primary Care assessment by appointment only.

Rapids Family Health Team – 519-491-5395 / www.rapidsfhteam.ca

Wyoming Wellness Centre / Central Lambton Family Health Team – email covidclinic@clfht.com

If you develop severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or confusion, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

News Release

COVID-19 & Respiratory Assessment Centres Expand to Include Cold and Flu

Expansion Aims to Relieve Pressures on Local Emergency Departments

LAMBTON COUNTY – To help Sarnia-Lambton area residents access care and to ease the pressure on the Emergency Department at Bluewater Health, the local COVID-19 Assessment Centres have expanded their scope to support the assessment and treatment of patients with cold and flu symptoms.

The centres, previously known as the COVID-19 Testing and Respiratory Assessment Centres, have been renamed to COVID, Cold and Flu Care Centres (CCFCC). With the support of our local primary care providers, people including children, with moderate cold and flu symptoms are now able to access assessment and care at any of the CCFCC locations. Care, assessment, and treatment will continue for those with COVID-19 and COVID-19 like symptoms.

Sarnia-Lambton area residents are asked to contact their primary care provider before booking an appointment at a COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic. People with mild respiratory symptoms are advised to monitor their symptoms, rest, and drink plenty of fluids.

As a reminder, most people in the community with symptoms are not eligible for COVID-19 testing. COVID-19 testing is carried out based on provincial guidelines which prioritize those at increased risk of severe outcomes and those living and working in high-risk settings.

Booking instructions and hours of each CCFCC are listed on the Lambton Public Health Website.

Centres include Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic, located at 153 Christina St. S, Sarnia, Rapids Family Health Team, located at 1150 Pontiac Dr., Sarnia, Plympton-Wyoming Health & Wellness Centre, located at 596 Broadway St., Wyoming, and Grand Bend Area Community Assessment Centre, located at 69 Main St. E, Grand Bend. Indigenous residents can also access care, assessment and treatment through Walpole Island Health Centre (call 519-627-0765), Kettle & Stony Point First Nation (call 519-786-5647) and Aamjiwnaang First Nation (call 519-332-6770 ext. 305).

For more information on these changes, please contact info@sarnialambtonoht.ca.

News Release

Age-Friendly Website Launches Today With Refreshed Look

Improved and Expanded Website a Valuable Resource for Residents of All Ages

LAMBTON COUNTY – November 17, 2022 – Today we are pleased to announce that the Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton website has officially been relaunched with expanded resources and a newly refreshed, user-friendly design aimed at connecting residents of any age and any stage with the health services and community supports they need.

Age-friendly communities help create more accessible environments for people of all ages and abilities. In 2018 the City of Sarnia was recognized for its local efforts to support an aging population and joined the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities. In 2019, the Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton community partnership launched a new Age-Friendly website to help adults aged 55+ find community supports and health services.

The newly refreshed website, spearheaded by Lambton Public Health, Lambton Elderly Outreach, Family Counselling Centre, Sarnia-Lambton-OHT and partners is an easy to navigate online resource geared towards Sarnia-Lambton residents of all ages. This one-stop shop access point has doubled its service listings and added more features to make navigating social and health supports convenient and easy.

“We are thrilled to unveil this newly expanded website; we have been working diligently to improve this important resource for Sarnia-Lambton,” says Nadine Neve, Health System Integration Lead, Sarnia-Lambton OHT. “Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton is a centralized hub for residents of all ages to find what they need. Whether it be regarding local transport, mental health and addictions, active living or available 24/7 supports and resources – Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton has it all available at your fingertips.”

In 2021, the Older Adult Care Pathway Research Report conducted by Lambton College surveyed caregivers, service providers and older adults, finding that there were several areas which had opportunities to improve to better serve the broader Sarnia-Lambton community. It has since evolved to include a more diverse listing of vital local resources, including Indigenous supports, equity, diversity and inclusion services and housing and homelessness amenities.

“The newly refreshed Age-Friendly website will offer all residents a digital space to access so many great resources, and we knew how important it was to encompass services beyond healthcare,” says Julie Harries, Health Promoter, Lambton Public Health. “The website will play a key role in supporting our population’s health in a proactive manner. In taking a holistic approach to wellbeing, we can improve the overall health of our communities.”

In its new form, Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton has also moved towards utilizing Community Navigators through a partnership with the Family Counselling Centre. Anyone requiring assistance when accessing the website can call 519-336-3000 to find support in getting connected with local resources and services based on their needs.

The new website also features a ‘my list’ function, allowing users to save any supports and services pages that align with their specific needs.

To view the newly expanded website, please visit www.agefriendlysarnialambton.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT

 

Melissa Schilz
Communications Business Partner
Bluewater Health
519-328-9443