By Emily Stonehouse All aboard! The bus to stop closures and privatization of healthcare is taking off on Sept. 25 to head to Queen’s Park in Toronto for the day. “The camaraderie will be amazing,”…
Time to reform a new mindset
By Emily StonehouseThere’s more than one way to workout. In this day and age of social media, viewers are inundated with varying degrees of workouts, with some labeled as “bad” and others as “good”. It’s…
Minden ER permanently closing June 1
By Emily Stonehouse and Vivian Collings The Minden emergency room doors will be closing permanently on June 1, 2023. As of that date, all emergency services will be operating out of the Haliburton Hospital. “This…
COVID-19 requires public health response for foreseeable future:…
By James MatthewsDealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the coronavirus’ evolution is a business case of sorts that illustrates the need for more provincial support of regional public health agencies.David Marshall, board of health…
Three years in: COVID’s impact on health care
By Vivian CollingsAlmost exactly three years ago, Ontario declared a state of emergency, closing schools, businesses, and advising against non-essential travel; even to the grocery store.Ontarians were limited to only having close interaction with those…
Top doctor tells local health officials to be…
By James MatthewsThe region’s top doctor believes health boards need to remain vigilant, even as the coronavirus pandemic seems to be winding down.Dr. Natalie Bocking, the medical officer of health and CEO of the Haliburton,…
Recruitment effort makes strides at Haliburton health facilities:…
By James Matthews Efforts continue to fill vacant staff positions at Haliburton Highlands Health Services. Carolyn Plummer, the president and CEO at the health service provider, informed its board of directors in her January report…
Aging Together as Community – A conversation
By Emily Stonehouse There is only one constant in life, and that is aging. No matter what, it’s there, and it always will be. Aging can be a blessing; an opportunity to learn longer, to…
Naloxone training key to ending the stigma
By Emily Stonehouse The concept of overdoses - particularly in a rural community - is often something that is pushed under the rug. Yet, while it may seem foreign to some, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine…
Influenza instances waning, says region’s medical officer of…
By James Matthews Influenza in the Haliburton, Kawartha, and Pine Ridge public health region seems to be declining since its peak in December. Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the region, said there…
Surge in respiratory sickness expected to worsen until…
By James MatthewsThe Haliburton Highlands Health Service continued to be bludgeoned by an increase in respiratory ailments.Carolyn Plummer, the CEO and president at the health service, apprised the board of directors of how the region’s…
Hospital foundation welcomes new executive director
By James MatthewsLisa Tompkins feels confident the helm of the Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation is in good hands under the stewardship of Melanie Klodt Wong.Tompkins spent 20 years with the foundation, the last five…
Highlands activist recognized with prestigious provincial award
By Angelica IngramLongtime community activist and Lochlin resident Bonnie Roe was recently honoured with a prestigious award from a provincial health organization for her advocacy on behalf of the elderly.In October, Roe was presented with…
Wearing masks can alleviate strain on hospital resources:…
By James Matthews Respiratory illnesses continue to surge at the four health care facilities in the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit’s catchment area. Dr. Nicole Bocking, the unit’s medical officer of health, introduced…
Respiratory viruses converging, says region’s top doctor
By James Matthews (Local Journalism Initiative reporter)The healthcare system continues to be quite strained and we need to do everything we can to try to preserve it.That’s the message Dr. Nicole Bocking, the medical officer…
Fewer new COVID infections in HKPR district, says…
By James MatthewsThere’s no immediate end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic.But the number of positive tests are on the decline in the area covered by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.Dr. Natalie…
SIRCH offers everlasting memories to local seniors
By Vivian Collins A new SIRCH program offers community members a chance to personally hear and retell the colourful life stories of local seniors.The program, Memories to Life, brings a volunteer and a senior together,…
Public input needed for mental health and addiction…
A new project is being developed in Haliburton County surrounding the issues of mental health, addiction and access to social and community services. If you are someone who has experienced these issues and required or…