Health & medicine: 1)Nuts recalled in Ontario over possible salmonella contamination; 2)Weekend cold and flu clinic opening at RVH to fight seasonal surge; 3)Most Ontarians wait more than three months for specialist or diagnostic test: poll 4)RVH introduces Innisfil’s first MRI scanner in regional milestone; 5)SMDHU and school boards update partnership to strengthen healthy environments; 6)Medical issue likely cause of Barrie school vehicle collision: police
1)Nuts recalled in Ontario over possible salmonella contamination
Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press
By Canadian Press Staff, December 19, 2025
Two deaths in listeriosis outbreak linked to plant-based milk recall
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for two nut-related products sold in Ontario due to possible salmonella contamination.
The agency says the recall covers two products, Arnie’s All Natural Raw Mix Nuts and Arnie’s Sweet and Savoury Mix, both sold from Nov. 1 to Dec. 2.
The recalled products were sold and distributed from several locations in Barrie, Brampton and Vaughan.
The CFIA says the recall was triggered by standard inspection activities, and no one has reported to have been sickened from consuming the nut products.
Consumers are asked not to eat the affected products, but to either discard them or return them to the point of purchase.
The CFIA warns that salmonella contaminated products may not look or smell spoiled but can make people ill, with people with weakened immune systems, young children and pregnant women especially vulnerable to serious infections.
2) Weekend cold and flu clinic opening at RVH to fight seasonal surge
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, December 24, 2025
Just in time for the holiday season, the Barrie Area Ontario Health Team’s Primary Care Network (BAOHT PCN), in partnership with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) has announced the hospital will be hosting a weekend cold and flu clinic.
From December 27 to March 2026, the clinic will operate Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. out of a designated area in RVH’s emergency department. Assessments and treatment will be provided by local primary care physicians from the PCN for cough, cold, and flu-like symptoms.
“This time of year is placing a significant strain on families and our health care system,” says BAOHT Co-Chair and Medical Lead Dr. Chibuike Chizea in a news release. “By opening this weekend clinic, we’re ensuring that patients can access the right care at the right time, while helping to keep the Emergency Department available for those with more urgent needs. This is a practical, community-focused solution that will make a real difference.
“We’re grateful to the local family physicians who have committed to contributing their time during an especially busy period within their own practices. This is a true community effort, helping find local solutions that ensure residents can access timely care when they need it most.”
RVH says that its emergency department, like many others across Ontario, consistently experiences overcrowding and long wait times, especially during times with many respiratory illness cases.
“We know how stressful it can be to need care and face long waits,” said RVH Operations Director, Emergency Critical Care and Trauma Sharon Ramagnano said in a release. “Our goal is to make sure people get the care they need as quickly as possible. By partnering with the Primary Care Network, we can offer care more efficiently on weekends and ensure timely assessment for those whose conditions aren’t urgent but still need attention.”
The partners are encouraging residents to consider all available care options this winter.
For the cold and flu weekend clinics, prospective patients are asked to book an arrival time online, for which registration will be available the day before. Upon arrival at the emergency department entrance, those seeking care will check in at triage.
“When people use the right care option, it helps everyone,” says Ramagnano. “Whether it’s this weekend clinic, our ED Minor Ailments Patient Pathway, a local walk-in, or a virtual appointment, there are many ways for residents to get non-urgent care quickly and safely when they’re feeling unwell.”
3)Most Ontarians wait more than three months for specialist or diagnostic test: poll
Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press
By Hannah Alberga, December 23, 2025
A new poll suggests Ontarians are waiting too long for diagnostic tests and specialist appointments, causing unnecessary stress and putting patients’ health at risk.
The poll conducted by Abacus Data and released Tuesday says 33 per cent of respondents waited more than six months to see a specialist or get a diagnostic test and another 37 per cent waited three to six months.
Ontario Health says the average duration a patient with a non-emergent condition should be waiting for a diagnostic scan is between two and 28 days, depending on their priority.
Data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information this year shows this is an issue of national concern, with diagnostic imaging wait times across the country still longer than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Abacus poll is funded by the Ontario College of Family Physicians, which represents more than 18,000 family physicians and medical students.
The group is calling for a centralized system that allows family doctors to electronically manage patient referrals and prioritize cases based on urgency.
Ninety-five per cent of respondents were in favour of this modernized approach, which the Ontario Medical Association also called for in 2023.
The poll surveyed 1,500 Ontario residents between Nov. 20 and 27.
The polling industry’s professional body, the Canadian Research Insights Council, says online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they do not randomly sample the population.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
4)RVH introduces Innisfil’s first MRI scanner in regional milestone
Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press
By Julius Hern, December 19, 2025
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH), with support from the community and RVH Foundation, has introduced Innisfil’s first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, which will be located at the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre in Innisfil.
The new machine is set to help medical teams deliver almost 4,000 more scans annually, a critical addition in an effort to reduce wait times and improve access to care.
Currently, RVH says it performs approximately 24,000 MRI scans per year across two machines, with demand continuing rising parallel to population and its age.
“RVH is home to the largest and most advanced medical imaging department in the region, delivering more than 200,000 imaging exams each year,” says RVH President and CEO Gail Hunt in a news release. “MRI plays a critical role across cancer, cardiology, surgery and chronic disease management. Adding a third MRI in Innisfil expands our capacity and helps ensure our region can keep pace with growing demand.”
The new MRI — a MAGNETOM Flow Elite — will be one of the first of its kind in Ontario. Its technology uses magnets and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body without surgery or radiation. The results support diagnosis and treatment planning across a wide range of conditions.
Among its features, it also boasts a wider opening and faster scan times to improve patient comfort, built-in artificial intelligence to support efficient, high-quality imaging, and technology that requires virtually no liquid helium. RVH says that improves the system’s sustainability and reliability over time.
“This investment in smart technology allows us to provide safer, more precise and timely care,” says RVH Chief of Staff and Vice President of Academic & Medical Affairs Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg said. “Expanded MRI capacity means quicker access to diagnostic imaging and improved coordination of care across multiple clinical programs.”
Alongside the Town of Innisfil, RVH also signed an agreement with SDI Canada to purchase a Cassette Movable Building, a modular unit that which will attach to the existing location, where RVH has been providing outpatient and diagnostic services since 2019.
Site preparation is expected to begin in March 2026, with the modular unit arriving in August 2026. RVH says its target is to begin performing procedures with the machine in Innisfil by November 2026.
A rendering of RVH’s new MAGNETOM Flow Elite MRI scanner, one of the first of its kind in Ontario, coming to the Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre in Innisfil. Designed with patients and care teams in mind, the next-generation system offers a wider opening, faster scan times and built-in AI to support high-quality imaging, while using virtually no liquid helium.
The wellness centre that will house the machine is across from where a proposed RVH health hub would be on Yonge Street.
“Our long-term vision is about providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Hunt added. “This project is an important step toward meeting the needs of our growing region.”
This expansion is supported by $800,000 in annual funding from the Ontario government, which will cover the operation of the MRI, including staffing. Hospitals are ultimately responsible for funding all major medical equipment, despite the help from the government.
“Our government is continuously investing in bringing healthcare closer to home, where people work and live,” said Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin. “This results in better outcomes and means people can be closer to their loved ones throughout their healthcare journey. By supporting the addition of a new MRI through operational funding, we are helping to reduce wait times and expand access to diagnostic imaging.”
RVH says the purchase of both the MRI scanner and the modular unit that will house it was made entirely possible through community generosity to its foundation.
“Our donors made this happen,” said Mary-Anne Frith, Chair of the RVH Foundation Board of Directors and Keep Life Wild campaign. “Their generosity is directly improving how and when patients receive care by bringing advanced imaging to Innisfil and helping people stay close to home when they need answers.”
5)SMDHU and school boards update partnership to strengthen healthy environments
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, December 19, 2025
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) signed an updated partnership agreement aimed at improving healthy school environments across the region.
It’s the second time the health unit and the school boards have joined forces to strengthen efforts in well-being, health equity and academic success.
“Our strong partnership, as outlined in this agreement, enhances our collective ability to deliver public health programs in schools and to partner to make schools the healthiest places they can be,” says SMDHU acting medical officer of health and CEO Dr. Lisa Simon in a release.
The partnership will provide access to curriculum-linked resources, helping students build essential skills for health, well-being, and learning. It aims to continue giving students the benefits of supportive and healthy environments.
“Partnerships and collaboration with community organizations are an important priority at SMCDSB and we look forward to strengthening access and delivery of health programs for our schools through this agreement,” said SMCDSB’s director of education Kimberly Dixon.
The health unit adds that engaging community partners and schools can expand access to programs and services, while ensuring student needs are properly met.
“The well-being of students and staff is one of the SCDSB’s Strategic Priorities, SCDSB director of education Dawn Stephens said. “We are pleased to formalize our partnership with the SMDHU and to continue working with them to support healthy school communities across Simcoe County.”
6) Medical issue likely cause of Barrie school vehicle collision: police
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, December 19, 2025
Barrie Police says that the driver of a minivan is believed to have suffered a medical issue, which led to a crash involving a school bus Thursday afternoon.
Around 3 p.m., emergency crews responded to the collision on Cundles Road West and Lillian Crescent, where a school transportation minivan had collided with a school bus. Significant damage was caused to both vehicles and the roadway was closed to traffic for multiple hours.
The driver of the minivan, believed to have suffered a medical issue which caused the incident, was the vehicle’s only occupant at the time. Meanwhile, the driver and 36 students from a local high school were aboard the bus.
The driver of the minivan was taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) with non-life-threatening injuries. Nobody on the school bus was physically injured.
Barrie Police says the Traffic Unit is continuing with the investigation into the collision.