In an effort to ease the pressure on the emergency department as the number of incoming patients continues to backlog hospitals across the province, London Health Science Center is expanding its clinic to provide alternative and accessible care to the community.
Starting Wednesday, the COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic or “CCFCC” will accept pediatric patients from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.
“Over the past few months, the children’s hospital has seen an unprecedented increase in respiratory viruses, resulting in longer waiting times in the emergency department,” said Victoria Hospital President Deborah Wiseman.
London, Ont. Children’s Hospital canceled surgery due to increase in number of patients
NS woman dies after waiting for 7 hours in hospital, family seeks answers
In November, Children’s Hospital announced it would cancel some surgeries as it continued to combat a surge in patients.
Ahead of the holiday season, occupancy levels stood at 115 percent, higher than rates recorded at the height of the season. COVID-19 Epidemic. Daily visits to the ER were also 80 percent higher than normal, with wait times averaging six to eight hours.
While health officials are reporting a slight decline in Influenza A cases, the hospital anticipates additional COVID-19 cases within the next few weeks.
“This CCFCC expansion just adds another layer of opportunities for our families, especially families who do not have a primary care provider, families with children who are at high risk of becoming very ill from any of these diseases. families who ‘have been told by a health professional to bring your child to the clinic, and anyone who feels their child is getting worse or symptoms are not improving,'” Wiseman said. .
In collaboration with the Middlesex London Ontario Health Team, the CCFCC has expanded to include assessment, testing and treatment for young patients under the age of 18 with a variety of symptoms of COVID, cold and flu, including:
- fever or chills
- cough not related to other causes such as allergies
- shortness of breath
- muscle pain or joint pain
- loss or loss of taste or smell
- gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea
- runny nose or nasal congestion
- Abdominal pain (not related to other causes)
- Headache
- Excessive fatigue
- sore throat
- pink eye (not related to other causes)
According to the LHSC, services provided at the clinic include “COVID-19 assessment and PCR testing, cold and flu evaluation, and medical guidance by the health care team, which may include triaging or next steps in patient care.” Huh.”
However, health officials say that primary care providers, such as family doctors or nurse practitioners, should remain the first option when seeking medical care.
“For those who don’t have a family doctor, it provides an opportunity for families to bring their children,” Wiseman said.
“We already have a program for adults running in the same clinic, now we are expanding it to offer the opportunity for pediatrics with great support from our community and primary care providers who help us in the evenings. Have been.”
The CCFCC is located at 800 Commissioner Road in Building 24 at Victoria Hospital. I.
Appointments must be made in advance online or by calling 519-685-8500 ext. 75503.
more information can be found www.covidtestinglm.ca,
Adult clinic hours remain the same, open 9:20am to 6:30pm, seven days a week
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.