Niagara Health

"The notes cover the arena glass, creating a rainbow of hope." Check out the Maclean's Magazine story about the sticky notes of gratitude from #Niagara residents that fill the walls of our Seymour-Hannah vaccination clinic. #InItTogether

After more than a year of leading COVID-19 research at Niagara Health hospitals, Dr. Jennifer Tsang hopes to study ways to better help the thousands of patients who survived the virus and are experiencing what has been called long-haul COVID-19. Check out the St. Catharines Standard story below to learn more about Dr. Tsang's research

Vaccine Tracker: As of May 16 at 5 p.m., Niagara Health's Vaccination Clinic at Seymour-Hannah Centre has administered 114,215 vaccinations (109,959 first doses and 4,256 second doses) to healthcare workers and other priority groups. Vaccinations are scheduled by appointment-only. Those eligible can book at Ontario.ca/BookVaccine or call 1-833-943-3900. Visit our website for more information: http://bit.ly/38RuRZU Learn more about Niagara Region Public Health's COVID-19 vac...cination rollout here: https://www.niagararegion.ca//covid-19/s/vaccinations.aspx #VaccinateNiagara #InItTogether See more

As part of Speech and Hearing Month, we'd like to recognize our Speech Language Pathology team. There are 13 Speech Language Pathologists and three Communication Disorders Assistants that work across our sites. They support pediatric and adult clients, in both inpatient and outpatient areas. Our Speech Language Pathologists have specialized skills, knowledge and clinical training in the identification, assessment, treatment and management of swallowing, communication and cognitive communication disorders. Thank you to the Speech Language Pathology team for the important work you do to support communication health across Niagara!

Please note: The Seymour-Hannah vaccination clinic is closed today. No existing appointments were affected. Starting tomorrow, we will administer approx. 2,000 doses a day over the next several days. For more vaccination clinic updates visit: https://www.niagarahealth.on.ca/site/vaccination-clinic

On International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Niagara Health stands with members of our LGBTQ2S+ community against all forms of discrimination or violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. We embrace the differences and unique perspectives of our workforce and are continuing our work to provide an environment where everyone can feel safe to be themselves. We will continue to do our part in making Niagara Health a respectful, kind and inclusive organization.

We recognize that family and friends play an important role during a patient’s hospital stay and can contribute to a positive patient experience and positive health outcomes. We will continue welcoming visitors to the hospital as long as it is safe to do so, which is why visitors must follow our visitor guidelines. Our visitor guidelines are key in ensuring we can keep our patients and team members safe. Learn more bit.ly/2KHkG1m

As we begin the new year, make #mentalhealth a priority. We're sharing tips from Dr. Maxine Lewis, Chief of Mental Health and Addictions, about ways to ease anxiety and improve mental health. TIP #4: Identify what it is you’re worried about and ask if it is under your control or not. Focus on the things you can control. See more coping strategies here: http://bit.ly/3pkdarA

Read the Niagara Falls Review on Niagara Health’s first baby of 2021. Welcome to the world, Ekas Sharma! bit.ly/3rIz7CZ

Do you have an upcoming appointment for a COVID test? Remember to bring your Ontario Health Card with you when you arrive for testing at one of our COVID-19 Assessment Centres. Learn more about Assessment Centres and testing here: niagarahealth.on.ca/site/assessmentcentres

We're proud to launch COVID Care @ Home with our partners. This new model of care for COVID patients will provide 24/7 access to high-quality care from one integrated team in the home and in community settings like retirement homes, shelters and hospices. Learn more here: bit.ly/36s4vvz

Niagara HELPS, offered in the Emergency Department at our Greater Niagara General Site, is a program that provides peer support to people who are experiencing homelessness in Niagara. We are proud to partner with Quest Community Health Centre and Niagara HELPS to offer support to our patients and connect them to services at Niagara Health and in the community. Read more about the program

Getting the flu vaccine isn’t just about keeping you healthy; it’s also about helping to protect everyone around you who may be vulnerable to becoming very sick from flu. #StayHealthy #StaySafe... Learn more: bit.ly/2TrrUak #FluFighter

Unprecedented, historic and challenging. These words are often used to describe the past year. Also appropriate are resiliency, dedication and commitment. Together they describe our team’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more: https://bit.ly/38Uu5ug #InItTogether

With Niagara in the Orange-Restrict category of the Ontario Government’s five-stage COVID Response Framework, general visitation is no longer permitted for residents in the Extended Care Unit at our Welland Site. Recognizing the importance of our residents in the long-term care home having support from their loved ones, families may now designate up to two Essential Caregivers per resident. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3nABtAR

Meet Niagara Health's first baby of 2021: Ekas Sharma. Ekas was born at 12:55 a.m. today. Congratulations to his mom, Manu, and dad, Kam. "He is healthy and perfectly fine and it’s a pure miracle for us. It has been a long journey. My prayers have been answered," says Manu. Read their story: http://bit.ly/3rHDs9k

When visiting the hospital, clean your hands when you enter, throughout your stay and when you leave to prevent the spread of germs. Remember to #WashYourHands for 20 seconds using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. #StaySafeStayHealthy

Be a #FluFighter! Bridges Community Health Centre and Niagara South Family Medicine are hosting a community flu clinic in Port Colborne. WHEN: Nov. 6 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Nov. 7 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) WHERE: Italian Canadian Culture Centre, 223 Bell St., Port Colborne Call 905-871-7621 ext. 2227 to book your appointment

If there is one thing Dr. Janice Giesbrecht has seen a lot of in her career as an oncologist, it would be change. Change in treatments, clinic size, survival rates and diagnostics just to name a few. Read her story in the The Niagara Independent

REMINDER TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT COVID-19 ASSESSMENT CENTRES: We understand that people are sometimes unable to attend their appointments for a COVID test and need to cancel or rebook. We encourage people to please reach out to us and cancel their appointments in advance so we can fill the testing spots with other patients. See more reminders here: bit.ly/3kWU7ln

For National Addictions Awareness Week, reassess the way you think about #SubstanceUse and people who use drugs. Learn more at https://www.ccsa.ca/national-addictions-awareness-week #ChangeBeginsWithMe #NAAW

ICYMI: Dr. Karim Ali, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, talked to Newstalk 610 CKTB about the latest COVID-19 vaccine news, including: Testing trials Worldwide demand Differences between the vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer... Listen here

We wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy new year! A special thank you to members of our team working today to provide care to our patients.

How you can protect yourself and others during flu season: Get the flu vaccine Wash your hands often Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze... Don't touch your face Clean and disinfect surfaces and shared items Learn more: bit.ly/2TrrUak #FluFighter

Using a bundled approach is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself from infection: Wear a mask Stay 6 feet apart from others Wash your hands often... #StayHome if you're sick Together, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. #StaySafe

To protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19, remember to wear a mask when in public spaces. It's important to cover both your nose and mouth when wearing a mask . See the do's and don'ts of wearing a mask here: bit.ly/3j9T806 #StaySafeStayHealthy

Listen to Dr. Karim Ali, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, on Newstalk 610 CKTB http://fw.to/s6OTI6N He talked about: What we're doing to keep influenza under control The importance of getting a flu shot this year... Continuing to practice the bundled approach of masking, proper hand hygiene and physical distancing See more

Niagara Health is committed to patient safety and preventing falls in hospital. Learn more about our Falls Prevention Program at Niagara Health here: niagarahealth.on.ca/site/falls-prevention #PreventFalls

We're celebrating Patient Transport Week. Our Patient Transport staff work diligently to ensure patients are transported safely and in a timely manner. Thank you to our team of Porters. You are integral members of our healthcare team!

The flu is a contagious illness that can result in a hospital stay or can lead to serious complications. The influenza vaccine, which is recommended for anyone six months and older, is safe and the most effective way of preventing the spread of influenza. Learn more: bit.ly/2TrrUak #FluFighter

It's Patient Blood Management (PBM) Week. PBM aims to enhance the care of patients who need transfusions. We are one of 25 hospitals in Ontario to have an OnTraC (Ontario Transfusion Coordinators) program - a provincial blood conservation program. Thank you to our OnTraC Coordinator, Barbara Last, for her work in patient blood management and helping us provide extraordinary care to our patients!

November is Falls Prevention Month. Join the movement here fallpreventionmonth.ca/ #PreventFalls #BeReadyBeSteady

REMINDER: Today is the last day of the drive-through service at our St. Catharines Assessment Centre. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 3, people requiring a COVID test will access the centre through our dedicated entrance, located behind the Walker Family Cancer Centre in the Outpatient Mental Health area at our St. Catharines Site. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2TC7lIb

Have you completed our communications survey yet? We need your help to identify the best way to communicate important updates on COVID-19 and other hospital priorities to the community. Share your feedback on your communication preferences http://bit.ly/3nbfqBi

In our latest #InItTogether, Tess Palatino talks about her experience as a Patient Partner in our Niagara Health Engagement Network. During the pandemic, Patient Partners have been instrumental in Niagara Health’s response, including providing input and helping to shape policies like visitor restrictions and other safety measures. Read her story: bit.ly/2JiRwEt

Happy Halloween from Michelle and Cindy, Recreation Therapists at our Welland Site! The pair has been promoting pawsitivity with patients as they celebrate Halloween Stay safe, everyone!

Dr. Levesque is a highly respected physician in Niagara and we are thrilled to have him take on this important leadership position at our Walker Family Cancer Centre, says Dr. Johan Viljoen, Niagara Health’s Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President Medical. Dr. Levesque will be instrumental in helping us continue to grow our Oncology Program, which provides high-quality care to the people we serve. Congratulations to Dr. Michael Levesque on being appointed our new Chief of Oncology! Read more here: https://bit.ly/31UpWny