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November 27, 2012 –  Flu Shot Advised for All Community Members

The Peterborough Public Health reported influenza outbreaks at two local retirement residences today and reiterated the call to community members to get their flu shots.

“With further confirmation of influenza activity in our community we strongly advise all local residents, and especially healthcare workers, to get their flu shot to prevent spreading it to our most vulnerable populations,” said Edwina Dusome, Manager of Infectious Disease Programs.  “Seniors are considered particularly high risk so now is the time to protect yourself and others before the holiday visitation season begins.”

The Public Health posts outbreak notices on its website to advise healthcare workers on infection control procedures to be undertaken to prevent the spread of illness.  This is located on www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca on the Health Professionals section under “Alerts” or by clicking here.

The Public Health will be holding its final community seasonal flu vaccination clinic of the season on Wednesday, November 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Avenue in Peterborough.

With flu season underway, in addition to getting the flu shot Public Health encourages everyone to wash their hands regularly, use good respiratory etiquette and to stay home when ill to prevent the spread of influenza.

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For further information, please contact:

Sarah McBride, RN
(705) 743-1000, ext. 281

November 25, 2012 – Now is the Time to Protect Yourself and Others Before the Holidays!

The Peterborough Public Health will be holding its final community seasonal flu vaccination clinic of the season on Wednesday, November 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Avenue in Peterborough.

“Now is a good time to get the flu shot to ensure you are protected before the holidays which often can be a time when the virus is shared between young and old,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra.  “The flu shot offers great protection for our most vulnerable populations in the community, including residents in long-term care facilities, seniors and infants, and it’s strongly recommended that those visiting these groups get immunized as well.”

To date, Public Health has immunized 2,877 people at community clinics throughout the city and Peterborough County and distributed more than 37,120 doses of the vaccine to local healthcare providers.  The vaccine will continue to be available from local doctors, nurse practitioners and other healthcare professionals once the community clinics end.

Employers interested in holding flu clinics for their staff can visit Public Health’s website www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca for a list of local agencies who can deliver this service for them.

With flu season underway following the first reported cases last week, Public Health encourages everyone to wash their hands regularly, use good respiratory etiquette and to stay home when ill to prevent the spread of influenza.

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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

November 22, 2012 – The Peterborough Public Health is now reporting several local cases of seasonal influenza today.

“Two of the cases are lab-confirmed cases for influenza A, and the others are linked. We now know that seasonal influenza is circulating in our local population,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “Usually there are more cases of influenza in the community than are reported by the lab so we strongly encourage residents to get their flu shot to protect themselves and others – it’s not too late.”

The Public Health is running two more community vaccination clinics as follows:

  • Thursday, November 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Cavan-Monaghan Gymnasium, 988 County Road 10, Millbrook
  • Wednesday, November 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Activity Haven, Queen Alexandra Building, 180 Barnardo Ave., Peterborough

Vaccine is also available at physician offices or by appointment at Public Health.

Dr. Salvaterra advised that in addition to getting the flu shot people take the following precautions to reduce the spread of infection:

  • Stay home if feeling unwell
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Clean and sanitize commonly-used surfaces frequently
  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and washing hands afterwards

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over six months of age.  It is especially important for people with a weakened immune system, pregnant women, young children, the elderly and anyone who takes care of people in these groups.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

November 21, 2012 – Initiative Part of Ontario Farm to School Challenge

Today marked the first organized delivery of 560 pounds of locally grown carrots from Kennedy Farms near Omemee to Food For Kids Peterborough and County school breakfast programs. 

“Food For Kids is excited to have locally grown food offered in our Breakfast Programs as part of the Ontario Farm to School Challenge,” stated Chris McCarthy, Community Coordinator for Food For Kids Peterborough and County.  “We are one of five regional partners on the ground floor of the Farm to School Challenge.  The Challenge will increase the use of local food in schools and help schools and school boards develop the skills, knowledge and relationship necessary to continue to increase purchase of local food in the long-term”. 

The carrots were provided by Kennedy Farms from Omemee, a regular contributor to the YWCA of Peterborough Victoria & Haliburton JustFood program.  The YWCA JustFood Program will deliver the carrots directly to city schools.  Schools will also receive classroom resources to promote local foods and make curriculum connections.

“Partnering with Food For Kids Peterborough and County is positive for students and local agriculture,” said Jason and Gary Kennedy of Kennedy Farms.  “Knowing that we’re supporting healthy eating in Peterborough schools is a great feeling and encourages us to keep farming.”

“Peterborough has a vibrant agriculture community so it only makes sense to work with local farmers to provide the very best of local foods to our children,” said Brenda Dales, chair of Food For Kids Peterborough and County. 

Each school day, in 46 local city and county schools, 17,000 students have the opportunity to participate in a Food For Kids Breakfast program to start their day well-nourished and ready to learn.   School Breakfast Programs include vegetables or fruit on the menu every day.                                                                                                                                                    

Food For Kids Peterborough and County is a regional partner of the Ontario Farm to School Challenge and as a result, the carrots purchased from Kennedy Farms will be paid for with a grant from the Ontario Greenbelt Fund. 

For more information about the Ontario Farm to School Challenge visit www.OntarioFresh.ca/farmtoschool.

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For further information, please contact: 
Chris McCarthy
Student Nutrition Program Coordinator, Food For Kids Peterborough and County
705-742-2269

 Carolyn Doris, Public Health Nutritionist
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 251
www.pcchu-testing.ca/ffk

 

November 19, 2012 – Click here to view the Board of Health Summary November 14, 2012 

November 16, 2012 – Public Health Seek Your Input on Public Health Priorities

Community Has Two More Weeks to Help Build Board of Health’s Five-Year Strategic Plan

Today Peterborough Public Health announced it will keep its online survey open another two weeks to gather resident opinions about what local public health priorities should be for the next five years.

Residents can easily find the survey on Public Health’s website home page by visiting www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.  Results will help inform the Peterborough County-City Board of Health’s 2013-17 Strategic Plan to be released next spring.  The survey is completely confidential will remain open until now Friday, November 30.

“This tool is proving highly effective as we’ve seen more than 140 surveys completed so far,” said Brittany Cadence, Communications Supervisor. “There has been a recent spike in survey submissions over the past few days so we wanted to make sure residents had ample opportunity to share their views about the public health issues that matter most to them. Our Board of Health believes it is essential for us reach out and gather input directly from residents in the communities that we serve.”

Board of Health Chair Andy Sharpe, Deputy Mayor of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, noted there are many opportunities and challenges ahead that this five-year Strategic Plan will attempt to address. “The need for public health solutions has never been greater, so a strategic plan that is built on really listening to our community members is more important now that ever,” said Mr. Sharpe. “How are we doing? What do we do well? What could we be better at? Are there gaps in public health programs that you think we need to fill? Do you need to know more about us, and what we do?”                                                                                                           

The Board of Health embarked on a strategic planning process this fall. To make Public Health’s 2013-17 Strategic Plan truly meaningful and effective, the Board is looking for input from the public as well as from local stakeholders. Public Health representatives will also hold focus groups with members of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, youth, and local community and health care partners.                                                                                                             

“We are ready to listen,” assured Deputy Mayor Sharpe. “Your input will help shape Public Health’s new strategic directions, and how and why we initiate them.”

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 For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

 

November 13, 2012 – Public Health Encourages Residents to Stay Healthy by Getting Vaccinated

The Peterborough Public Health announced today there are only three community-wide Flu Clinics left and encourages local residents to get vaccinated to stay healthy this winter.

The remaining three Flu Clinics offered by Public Health will take place as follows:

  • Saturday, November 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Ave.,Peterborough
  • Thursday, November 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cavan-Monaghan Gymnasium, 988 County Road 10, Millbrook
  • Wednesday, November 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Activity Haven, 180 Barnardo Ave.,Peterborough

“Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent influenza from spreading in our communities, especially since we know 30% of healthy individuals can get it and pass it on, event without symptoms,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health.  “For many of us, influenza could be just a passing illness but unfortunately, for the very young, the elderly, the immunocompromised, the pregnant or the infirm, influenza can mean an ICU stay, or even worse, the final blow.”

Dr. Salvaterra noted in addition to the health payoffs the community also benefits by reduced absenteeism at work and school when fewer people get sick.  Healthcare providers are especially encouraged to get immunized to reduce the spread of influenza as recommended by Health Canada, the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.

Flu shots are available free of charge to residents of Ontario.  The community clinic schedule is subject to change.  For up to date clinic information, please visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca or call (705) 743-1000.

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For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391

November 10, 2012 – Event Highlights Importance of Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening for Local Residents

Today dozens of local women enjoyed a little pampering and fun while undergoing a day of breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening in a unique event designed to increase local cancer screening rates.

Entitled “The Cancer Screening Day: A Day for Women, By Women”, the event featured gift bags, manicures, and pink umbrella-sporting escorts to help patients move between screening locations at the Peterborough Clinic and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC).  The event was organized as a pilot project by Peterborough Public Health, PRHC and the Peterborough Clinic exclusively for patients rostered with the Clinic.

“We know that local cancer screening rates are lower in Peterborough County and City than the provincial average, so we are thrilled to be a part of this creative way to raise awareness and make the screening process less daunting for those who will truly benefit,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Early detection through cancer screening for those who do not have any symptoms remains one of the most effective ways to reduce your cancer risk.”

“PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre brings together technologists, radiologists and diagnostic imaging services in the assessment and care for women’s breast health,” said Bobbi Martin-Haw, Manager of PRHC’s Women’s Health Centre and Breast Assessment Centre. “It’s important to remind women that they need to screen for life. Cancer screening sees what you can’t. One of the key roles of the Centre is our breast health navigator who provides patients with education to support and assists with a patient’s journey from diagnoses to treatment.”

“The Cancer Screening Day has been a very interesting initiative to be involved with,” said Anna Jamieson, Nurse Practitioner at the Peterborough Clinic who helped organize today’s event. “Providing a novel cancer screening model for women over 50 years has been enthusiastically received by our patients. All the partners involved have been supportive of this initiative. The Peterborough Clinic, specifically our physician partners and our staff have been invaluable in the planning process. The Peterborough Clinic has provided the space and equipment needed to execute the day. The Family Health Team has also played a key role in providing staff for the day.
My hope is that other groups adopt this model to make screening more accessible for busy women and to reach the under-screened populations.”

The goal of the event was to increase local participation rates for breast, cervical and colorectal screening by engaging residents who do not typically participate in cancer screening. Research shows that those who are “under/never screened” are more likely to experience barriers to cancer screening than those who undergo screening at recommended intervals. These barriers include income, language, immigrant background, mobility, and sexual orientation.

Peterborough is part of a study looking at ways to improve screening rates for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer that shows current rates differ depending on where you live. Details of the study can be found at www.getscreened.ca.

According to Cancer Care Ontario, the benefits to cancer screening are significant:

  • Breast: Regular breast cancer screening can find cancer when it is small. Finding cancer early means there is a better chance of treating it successfully.
  • Cervical: Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular screening, appropriate and timely follow-up of abnormal Pap test results and, recently, HPV immunization.
  • Colorectal: When colorectal cancer is caught early through screening, a person with colorectal cancer has a 90% chance of being cured.

For more information about local cancer screening options and how you can reduce your risk, please visit http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/my-life-health/adults/cancer-prevention-screening/.

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For further information, please contact:

Mary Pat Fasken, RN                                                 Amanda Roffey
Cancer Prevention Program                                  Communications Advisor
Peterborough Public Health            Peterborough Regional Health Centre
705-743-1000, ext. 217                                         705-743-2121, ext. 3659

November 9, 2012 – Location: Council Chambers, Peterborough County Court House

The community is advised that the next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Peterborough County Court House located at 470 Water Street, Peterborough.

To download the agenda and the online board package, please visit:
http://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/about-us/about-us-2/board-of-health/meeting-agendas

The meeting is open to the community and members of the media. 

For further information, please contact:

Brittany Cadence,
Communications Supervisor
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000, ext. 391

 

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