November 6/09
LDMH Emergency Department Expands This Weekend to Support Flu Overflow
Leamington, ON – This weekend: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Leamington District Memorial Hospital will implement an “influenza over-flow clinic” to help support patients with concerns about H1N1 and influenza-like-illness symptoms who feel it is necessary to come to the Emergency Department. Volumes in the Emergency Department have definitely increased the past few weekends, and the hope is that this clinic will help reduce wait-times for patients with symptoms of influenza. The over-flow clinic will be held in the general surgery clinic adjacent to the hospital; any patients must still use the EMERGENCY ENTRANCE of the hospital and see the triage nurse first.
The overflow clinic will be held the following times:
Symptoms of the flu include: fever, new or worsening cough and body aches. “We are still encouraging the public to visit their primary care provider – family physician, family health team – and not overwhelm the Emergency Department,” states Dr. Don Levy, Medical Director of the Emergency Department, “however, if you are concerned about your condition we will do our best to see patients more efficiently through the overflow clinic.”
The public is reminded to go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 RIGHT AWAY if you have any of the following symptoms:
The status of the clinic will be evaluated regularly and any updates in terms of changes in times or dates will be published on the hospital’s website at www.leamingtonhospital.com.
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For more information:
Sarah Padfield, Vice President, Corporate Services
(519) 326-2373 ext. 4249