Helping residents across Barrie, Innisfil, Springwater, Essa and Oro-Medonte find the care they need

Courtesy Barrie 360 and News Release

By Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team

The Barrie and Area Ontario Health Team (BAOHT) is helping residents navigate local same-day and urgent care clinic options through a new one-page guide.

The resource aims to support individuals and families access timely care when feeling unwell while helping to alleviate pressures on emergency departments, which are currently experiencing unprecedented patient volumes.

“Emergency departments in our region are seeing record-high volumes of patients, making it more important than ever for residents to explore other care options for non-urgent concerns,” says Leanne Weeks, BAOHT Co-Chair and Vice President, Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.

“We’re fortunate to have a variety of resources available, from virtual appointments to specialized clinics, that allow people to address their health needs quickly and efficiently. This one-page guide helps residents find alternatives for same-day or urgent care, ensuring they receive timely care while keeping the emergency department available for true emergencies.”

Residents with a primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) should contact their provider’s office as a first step when feeling unwell.

For those without a primary care provider, the one-page guide outlines a variety of available services to ensure that everyone in the region has access to the care they need without resorting to the emergency department for non-emergency issues.

Same-day and urgent care options

• Children’s Clinic at the Barrie Community Health Centre: This weekday clinic provides same-day or next-day appointments for coughs, fevers and flu-like symptoms children aged 0-5 years who do not have a primary care provider. For appointments call 705-734-9690.
• Huronia Urgent Care Clinic: Treating patients with non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses. In addition to a wide range of services, the clinic offers on-site radiology, a minor procedure room, splint and cast application/removal, as well as on-site urinalysis, pregnancy and glucometer testing. Visit huroniaurgentcareclinic.com for more information.
• Central Region Virtual Urgent Care Clinic: Residents can access same-day or next-day virtual appointments with a nurse practitioner for non-life-threatening conditions. To book a virtual appointment, visit regional-virtual-urgent-care.ca.
• Pharmacy Services: Pharmacists are able to prescribe certain treatment options, including for some of the most common medical ailments. Services may vary by location. Contact your local pharmacy to inquire about specific prescriptions and services available. For more info, visit: ontario.ca/page/pharmacies
• Emergency Department Minor Ailment Patient Pathway (MAPP) at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre: Offering same-day or next-day arrival times for patients to be assessed and treated for minor injuries to a limb (sprain, strain, or simple fracture etc.), minor symptoms of the flu, cold, or other respiratory illnesses such as RSV or COVID-19, minor symptoms of a potential urinary infection, or skin conditions such as a potential skin infection. To pre-book your arrival time, visit: rvh.on.ca/emergency.

The BAOHT continues to encourage people who do not have a primary provider to register with Health Care Connect – the provincial program to help people find a local family doctor or nurse practitioner by calling 1-800-445-1822 or visiting the website.

“We know that many residents in our area are struggling without a family care provider, and we’re working hard to bridge that gap,” says Dr. Chibuike Chizea, BAOHT Co-Chair and Physician with the Barrie Community Family Health Organization.

“The newly opened Innisfil Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic has already been a valuable resource that will not only provide primary care but also connect residents to a range of supports, including mental health services, dietitian consultations and rehabilitation therapy.”

Located at the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre in Innisfil, this clinic is expected to serve more than 3,000 patients and offers services including primary care, registered dietitian consultations, mental health support, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

To download the one-page guide or learn more about local care options, visit baoht.ca/unwell.

2) Health unit and local hospitals partner for A Breath of Fresh Air

Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release

By Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, January 20, 2025

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) and seven local hospitals are partnering for the first time to promote smoke and vapour-free hospital grounds throughout the region. The campaign, A Breath of Fresh Air for Our Hospital Community aims to remind patients, staff and visitors of the important role they play in keeping hospital grounds smoke and vapour free.

Smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in Ontario. In Simcoe Muskoka, nearly one-in-five deaths, one-in-ten hospitalizations and one-in-twenty emergency department visits are linked to smoking. Secondhand smoke also poses significant health risks, increasing the chance of developing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions such as COPD and lung cancer among adults and asthma and acute respiratory infections among children.

The campaign seeks to reinforce and remind patients, staff and visitors about the vital role they play in maintaining smoke and vapour-free hospital grounds. It features a variety of materials, including posters, banners, digital signage and social media messaging, which will be distributed by hospitals and the health unit to promote shared community responsibility for ensuring A Breath of Fresh Air for Our Hospital Community.

“Hospitals are places for care and part of that is ensuring an environment that supports good health”, says Dr. Lisa Simon, associate medical officer of health at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. “This campaign reminds the public that hospitals are smoke and vapour-free under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. It also aims to support people in their efforts to not smoke or vape by promoting fresh air spaces in and around our hospitals, while also reminding the public about the health benefits of smoke and vapour-free spaces.”

A Breath of Fresh Air for our Hospital Community campaignbegins during National Non-Smoking Week which takes place from Jan. 19 to 25. Area hospitals include Georgian Bay General Hospital, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care and Collingwood General & Marine Hospital.

3) Province chips in nearly $5M to RVH to support 27 current beds

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, January 24, 2025

The President and CEO of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie is welcoming a nearly $5 million cash infusion from the province to main 27 beds currently in use.

“We are incredibly thankful for this funding which will allow us to continue operating the Rotary Inpatient Unit. These 27 beds play a critical role in assisting RVH with patient flow as we utilize them for patients who longer acquire acute hospital care,” said Gail Hunt in a news release. “By investing in these beds, we are able to provide resources, expertise and compassionate care while we work with patients and families on a safe transition either to home with supports or to another appropriate setting, such as long-term care.”

Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte, noted the importance of this investment.

“This funding will help to address the capacity issues our local hospitals continue to face during RSV season and throughout the year,” Downey stated in the same news release. “Expanding capacity at the RVH will also help to decrease wait times and ensure our community has access to timely, and sometimes live-saving, care when they need it the most.”

Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin said the funding will mean care closer to home.

“Our government is committed to decreasing wait times and expanding capacity, providing people and families with high-quality care yearlong and with surges during cold and flu season,” Khanjin said in the release.

The total funding the province is providing to RVH with Friday’s announcement is $4,927,500.