The London Health Sciences Centre is taking more steps to help divert some people away from its overrun emergency departments.
Starting Wednesday, the hospital network will begin accepting paediatric patients at its COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC) at Victoria Hospital. Located in Building 24 at the south London hospital, near the intersection of Commissioners and Western Counties roads, the care clinic will see young patients on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The last few months Children’s Hospital saw an unprecedented surge in respiratory viruses, which resulted in increased emergency department wait times,” said Victoria Hospital President Deborah Wiseman. “It’s always been our goal to expand services at the CCFCC to meet the needs of paediatric patients in the community and help offset the pressures our Children’s Hospital staff and physicians are facing.”
The care clinic was originally opened as a COVID-19 assessment centre last September before expanding to treat adult patients with cold and flu symptoms in December.
While patients under the age of 18 will only be seen at the clinic by appointment only two days a week, there is room to grow should there be a need to.
“We’re continuously assessing community needs and will adjust operations accordingly,” said Wiseman.
Kids with symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal cold and flu such as fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing, muscle aches or joint pain, runny nose or nasal congestion, abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, sore throat, and pink eye will be assess, test and treated at the clinic.
Parents should consider making an appointment with the care clinic if their child does not have a primary care provider, worsening symptoms, been directed by a health professional, or are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and qualify for testing. However, it is recommended those with COVID, cold, or flu symptoms go to their family doctor or nurse practitioner first for treatment, when possible.
Appointments at the care clinic can be made online at covidtestinglm.ca or by calling 519-685-8500 ext. 75503.
The clinic will continue to see adult patients seven days a week from 9:20 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
