HP Update on COVID-19
May 11, 2020
If you received this from a colleague and wish to receive updates directly
Community Paramedicine Programs
-Swab Program
-Community Care Palliative Program (Timely SRK)
Huron and Perth County Community Paramedics have trained to perform COVID swabs. If a swab is needed for a patient who cannot otherwise easily attend a testing location, consider this option. Paramedic directives come from Huron Perth Public Health so to enact this option the Public Health office must be contacted who will then mobilize community paramedicine if appropriate.

Huron and Perth Paramedics have also completed LEAP training. To learn more about the pandemic period Community Paramedicine Programs under the directives of our PCOT teams, click HERE. Perth Community Paramedicine details will be shared once available.
Ontario Health West Announcements/Documents

 Get the most up-to-date information on the COVID response in Ontario Health West. Searchable database of all Ontario Health documents and announcements to date.
COVID-19 resources
Bookmark www.swcovidtools.ca! Find all the info and tools you need to help you care for your patients and manage your practice.
How's my flattening?
For a dashboard of the status of COVID in Ontario click here

Clinical Information

 Assistance for Socially Isolated Older Adults in SW Ontario during the Pandemic: The Student-Senior Isolation Prevention Partnership (SSIPP) initiative was created by Western medical students. SSIPP pairs socially isolated older adults with a health professional student volunteer who will check-in via weekly phone calls in order to provide social connection. 

To find out more: see the SSIPP flyer or information sheet; email ssipp.uwo@gmail.com.

Cannabis Ingestion and Children: See this feature from the Maternal, Newborn, Child and Youth Network.
Centre for Effective Practice

Getting too much information about COVID and don't know where to start?  Book a virtual appointment  with  CEP's   academic detailing pharmacist, Nicole, for a discussion tailored to your specific needs.  You can also check out CEP's new  COVID-19 web page . Email Nicole if you have any questions ( nicole.seymour@cep.health ).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

URGENT PPE shortages: Submit your request through the  Ontario Health West Portal  to your local PPE Hub.

Non-Urgent PPE needs  (i.e., running low but not critical)

  1. Go through usual vendors to attain
  2. Access local donations. If unable to attain then...
  3. Submit a request to the Ontario Health West Portal

Reminder: Mandatory Reporting of PPE Inventory to MOHLTC: To report your inventory levels daily to the Ministry of Health, complete the  Ontario PPE Survey  (password: PPEsurvey2020). Please follow these  instructions .

Reporting of PPE to the OMA: Please respond regularly to the  OMA PPE Survey  so they can continue to effectively advocate on your behalf. 

Using PPE: Please ensure your office is using PPE appropriately as per the  OMA's recommendations .

Alternate PPE Suppliers
Self-Care for Providers

  • Big White Wall - anonymously sharing feelings, words, and thoughts, while knowing others feel the same way can be therapeutic. Big White Wall is an anonymous community where members can support one another, and where you can find many resources and creative tools to express how you’re feeling. 
  • Free online iCBT for health care providers - announced by the ON government this week
  • Free mental health & addiction resource for all Canadians
If there are non-hospital COVID-19 related issues/solutions in your region, please escalate them to your
Regional Pandemic Clinical Lead
(tasked by Ontario Health West to facilitate, coordinate, and engage with stakeholders for the pandemic response within the SW LHIN area RE: primary care/vulnerable populations)...structure HERE .
Dr. Paul Gill
Huron-Perth
Chair, SW Primary Care/Vulnerable Pop'n Response