As the pandemic is entering a more stable phase, our COVID-19 response continues but significant milestones have been achieved.
Since the first half of 2022, there has been a decline in testing at the COVID-19 Assessment Centre as a result of changes in criteria from the province and an increase in vaccination rates. To best serve our patients, families, and caregivers the decision has been made to amalgamate the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and the Dufferin Cold & Flu Clinic.
As a reminder, most people in the community with symptoms are not eligible for COVID-19 testing. Testing is being prioritized for those at increased risk to severe outcomes and those living and working in high-risk settings.
Details about the new location:
The COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Headwaters Health Care Centre and the Dufferin Cold & Flu Clinic will be amalgamating and relocating to the Orangeville Pharmacy at Unit 5-50 Rolling Hills Drive for appointments beginning on July 4, 2022.
Appointments will be available Monday – Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and can be made by calling 1-888-530-1319. The phone line opens at 8:30 am Monday- Thursday to book appointments and will close once all appointments are filled for the evening. Patients are encouraged to contact their family doctor first for an appointment. We anticipate a reduction in our hours of operation over the summer months as fewer people have cold or flu symptoms.
COVID-19 testing for Headwaters Health Care Centre pre-operative patients:
Hospital patients coming for surgery will continue to complete pre-operative COVID-19 testing at the hospital. Instruction will be provided by their Surgeon’s Office when arrangements are being made for surgery.
About the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Headwaters:
Over the past two and a half years, the COVID-19 Assessment Centre at Headwaters has adapted to meet the changing nature of the virus and subsequent needs of the general public and staff. This has included an original outdoor location in the hospital’s parking lot, moving inside the Ambulatory Care wing, setting up a booking system and call centre, and adapting to changes in testing guidance from the
province. At the peak of the pandemic, traffic to our area was greatly affected and we are especially grateful to our neighbours for their patience and understanding.
About the Dufferin Cold & Flu Clinic:
In October 2020 the Dufferin Area Family Health Team, in cooperation with the Hills of Headwaters Collaborative Ontario Health Team partners, opened the Dufferin Cold & Flu Clinic to provide clinical assessments for symptomatic patients. During that time, clinic physicians and staff assessed over 5,000 patients in three different locations.
We greatly appreciate the heroic and dedicated efforts of the many staff who have been involved with setting up, relocating, managing, and operating both the COVID-19 Assessment Centre and the Dufferin Cold & Flu Clinic over the past two years to ensure our community has received the best care possible.
We will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 both in the community and hospital and will be ready to mobilize and ramp up our collective response if needed at any point.
Thank you.
Kim Delahunt, President & CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre and Lianne Barbour, Executive Director, Dufferin Area Family Health Team
