By Vivian Collings Lurking in the shadows of crises in Canada are long-term care homes. During the Aging Together as Community’s conference last month, Dr. Pat Armstrong, professor of sociology at the University of Toronto,…
Many students comply with immunization record request
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The public health campaign toward updated student vaccination records garnered much compliance. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit reminded parents and guardians of students that health…
Health board hears it’s time to accept COVID…
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative ReporterWelcome to the new normal in communities under the umbrella of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.Dr. Natalie Bocking, the medical officer of health and the unit’s…
Local health boards look to merge for better…
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) boards of health are going to look into how their communities will…
Public health unit takes steps against opioid crisis
By James Matthews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Public Health District is about in the middle of all other districts when it comes to the number of opioid overdose related hospital…
County gets in line early for new ambulance
By James Matthews Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Haliburton County’s paramedics are getting a new ride. County council agreed during its Sept. 27 regular meeting to give pre-budget approval for a new ambulance. It will cost…
New COVID-19 variants aren’t as severe as previous…
By James Matthews Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Local public health officials are preparing for another “atypical” respiratory season. Dr. Natalie Bocking, the medical officer of health and the CEO at the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge…
HHHS Foundation AGM highlights 2022 year
By Emily Stonehouse The change in season brings on the yearly Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation AGM. The numbers in review were from 2022, with 2023 numbers still not completed until the end of the…
Hitting the road for healthcare
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 MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter Dealing 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…
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 MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterThe 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…
Recruitment effort makes strides at Haliburton health facilities:…
By James MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter 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…
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 By James MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative Reporter 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…
Surge in respiratory sickness expected to worsen until…
By James MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterThe 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…
Hospital foundation welcomes new executive director
By James MatthewsLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterLisa 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,…
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…










