Health Care Services

Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

Updated April 12, 2024

Prince Edward County provides a full range of health care services to residents and visitors.

Page Contents:

Impact of Covid-19 |
Medical care |
Addictions & Mental Health |
Long term care |
Public Health

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic

Since the onset of the pandemic until April 11/24, there have been 150 deaths from the virus in the Hastings Prince Edward Region.

Resources and staff have been diverted to COVID-19 activities and some public health programs were deferred during the pandemic. 30% of Canadians needing health care services delayed seeking health care in the first year of Covid-19, potentially leading to poorer outcomes. See the current status of COVID-19 Cases and Vaccinations in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.

Hospitals & medical care

Our aging society is creating a higher demand for healthcare workers – especially among personal care workers if the “aging in place” approaches are successful. In the past, as people got older they often left their homes and communities to receive care in larger communities with available care facilities. Now, however, older people are more interested in remaining in their own rural communities. (Rural Ontario Foresight Papers 2019, Workforce Development in Rural Ontario)

Know where to go for health care

If you don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner and need non-emergency medical assistance, Quinte Health Care has provided a list of options.

Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital in Picton provides emergency and primary care. Specialized services are available through Quinte Health (QHC) at its hospitals in Belleville and Quinte West. qhc.on.ca/prince-edward-county-memorial-hospital-c20.php

The existing 60-year-old Prince Edward County hospital building – which serves more than 40,000 patient visits a year – is over 60 years old and is too small to accommodate The County’s growing population. A new hospital is planned that will comprise over 95,000 square feet of space and provide 24/7 emergency services, expanded inpatient beds, and leading-edge equipment. See Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation pecmhf.ca

The Prince Edward Family Health Team (PEFHT) is currently comprised of 17 family physicians (of 23 regulated positions) and office team members; four nurse practitioners, six nurses, four counsellors, two dieticians and one pharmacist supporting 26,000+ residents. They provide integrated, team-based, patient-centred primary care through direct office care and programs and services aimed at meeting the distinct health needs of the PEC community. pefht.ca

Doctor access: As of May/24 there are six physician vacancies in PEC and four departures confirmed for 2024, three of which are retirements. Another physician will be coming on board in June 2024.

County Docs successfully launched its Health Care Connect Premium Pilot Program, which will result in 1,000 patients coming off the Health Care Connect list over the next few months. Health Care Connect helps individuals find a family doctor.

Lack of attainable housing is a deterrent to attracting healthcare professionals. There is a national shortage of family physicians, with a declining number of graduates choosing family medicine and even fewer choosing rural practice. The competition for diminishing human health resources has necessitated the County Docs program to increase the number of healthcare professionals choosing to practice in Prince Edward County and also to be sure those already here have supports to ensure they remain in practice.

Currently in Ontario and Prince Edward County, there is advocacy for more nurse practitioner-led clinics. Nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose, treat and monitor a range of health issues. They’re also able to make referrals to specialists and physicians. According to the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, the barrier is lack of government funding. Unlike doctors, nurse practitioners are unable to bill Ontario’s provincial health insurance, or OHIP, for services. (The Star, Nov 15/22, Advocates call for more nurse practitioner-led clinics in Ontario)

In response, some communities are “growing their own” health care workers by encouraging high school students to consider professional health careers and working at their placements locally.

Community Clinic
Starting February 27, 2024, the Prince Edward Family Health Team Community Clinic will address problem-specific primary care to unattached residents of Prince Edward County (those without a primary care provider). See details …

Ambulance Service

Prince Edward County is looking at expanding its ambulance service. Since 2007, there has been a 42% increase in call volume. Overnight calls have gone up 53%. (Quinte News March 2023)

Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care

This initiative, delivered by Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services, helps more seniors on long-term care waitlists stay safe while living in the comfort of their own homes for longer. Through the program, non-emergency home visits and online service 24 /7 hours a day makes specially trained paramedics available for in-home testing, among other services.

Dental care for low-income households

Ontarian children and youth aged 17 and under from low-income households are eligible for free dental care as part of the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program. Services include free preventive, routine, and emergency dental services. Find out more about the Healthy Smiles Program at hpePublicHealth.ca/kidsdental

The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) is a government-funded dental care program. It provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older. Information is available at hpePublicHealth.ca/seniorsdental

Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team (HPE-OHT)
Hastings Prince Edward region is one of eight new Ontario Health Teams announced by the provincial government in September 2021. The teams have been developed as a new way to organize and deliver care. The Hastings Prince Edward Ontario Health Team (HPE-OHT) is expected to remove barriers across 46 local health care providers, physicians and community organizations striving to meet the health and wellness needs of people no matter which door they enter or where care is provided, across both counties. This is the first step in a multi-year transformation. (County Live, September 19, 2021)

Hospice Prince Edward
https://www.hospiceprinceedward.ca
Residential hospice combines the benefits of 24-hour professional care with the comfort and warmth of a home setting. Hospice serves the needs of the individual receiving palliative care and their loved ones with peace, privacy and dignity.

Addictions & Mental Health Services

New 988 Hotline
Canada has now initiated the 988 phone service for people dealing with a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide. People needing immediate real time support can call or text the 3 digit number to be connected with a trained professional. The service is free of charge and is available on a 7/24 basis.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Hastings and Prince Edward
cmhahpe.ca

Crisis line: 613-969-7400, EXT. 2753
A community-based agency providing a range of client-centred services and supports.

Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team (IMPACT)
Mental health crisis workers assist OPP officers on mental health calls.

Information, Support, and Referrals for mental health or substance use concerns
hpepublichealth.ca/getting-help

Supplies and resources for safer drug use
Naloxone kits, needle exchange sites, and safe disposal of sharps.
hpepublichealth.ca/safer-drug-use/

Children’s Mental Health Services Hastings and Prince Edward Counties
www.cmhs-hpe.on.ca 24/7 crisis line available at 613-966-3100.

Services are provided both in-person and virtually depending on the need. Community-based mental health services for children and youth having any one of a range of disorders.

Long term care

The H. J. McFarland Memorial Home is an accredited, non-profit, long-term-care facility operated by the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The 84-bed facility will be replaced by a 160-bed facility. www.thecounty.ca/residents/services/h-j-mcfarland-memorial-home/about-h-j-mcfarland-home

» Home & Community Care Support Services, Ontario

Public Health

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) hpepublichealth.ca
Serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four regional offices. They monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities and help to develop healthy public policies.