Current News

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) and Local 31 of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) are in the process of contract negotiations. Until an agreement is reached, HPEPH is advising of temporary interruption in certain services. Please note that service changes indicated below will be in effect as indicated and will continue only for the duration of the service disruption, and regular service will resume once the service disruption is over.

IMPORTANT: To avoid unnecessary delays in service, please do not refer any of your clients/patients to these programs until further notice.

Smoking cessation services are cancelled for new registrations effective August 11. Current clients can call for a refill until August 18. During the interruption, individuals currently receiving service, or those interested in quitting smoking, should see their primary care provider, call Health Connect Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or visit STOP on the Net

Baby & Me Drop-In is cancelled August 15 onward. Clients are encouraged to contact Health811 (Call 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007) or their primary care provider to discuss any feeding concerns.

Nurse-Family Partnership Program is cancelled. For interim support, clients are encouraged to contact the following:

• For pregnancy follow up, referrals and monitoring:
  • primary care provider or walk-in clinic if no primary care provider
  • obstetrician/midwife
• For urgent medical emergencies or situational crisis:
  • Local emergency department
  • Crisis Intervention Centre (Quinte Health) 613-969-7400, toll free
    1-888-757-7766
• For mental health support:
  • Open Line Open Mind 310-OPEN (6736) or visit cmhahpe.ca

Breastfeeding consultations are cancelled effective August 18. Clients are encouraged to contact Health811 (Call 811 or TTY- 1-866-797-0007) or contact their primary care provider if they have any breastfeeding concerns.

Immunization clinics are cancelled effective August 18. Clients are encouraged to contact their family physicians or nurse practitioners (NP) for any necessary immunizations.

Sexual Health Clinics are cancelled effective immediately. If individuals have questions or normally get birth control from public health, including in school-based clinics, they are encouraged to call 613-966-5500, ext. 243. For immediate sexual health testing and/or treatment needs, individuals are encouraged to see their primary care providers or a walk-in clinic.
NOTE: Publicly funded treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis remains available to health care providers for treating patients. For all patients who test positive for an STI, advise patients to notify their sexual contacts of the need to seek testing. Public health will only be conducting prioritized contact notification during service disruption.

Please note that services not listed above will still be operating.

The health and well-being of our clients is our top priority. While programs not listed above will continue to operate, service delays are expected. The patience and understanding of the community is appreciated as we work to ensure that critical services are maintained.

At the current time, all HPEPH offices will remain open to the public as per their regular operating schedule.

Safer drug use supplies, including Naloxone, continue to be available at HPEPH offices in Belleville, Bancroft, and Quinte West, and from many participating community partners.

Water sample collection bottles continue to be available at all HPEPH offices. For drop-off locations, please refer to the Public Water Sample Bottle Drop-off Locations document.

Dental Clinics will continue to operate as usual.

Updated notice of any service disruptions will be posted at hpePublicHealth.ca.

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Contact Information: 

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax: 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

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