Parish Health
HEALTH & WELLNESS MINISTRY UPDATE
NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Respiratory symptoms?
NHH’s Cough, Cold and COVID Assessment Centre is here for you!
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Monday, December 5, 2022—Services available in the portable trailer immediately outside Northumberland Hills Hospital’s Emergency Department are expanding, as the number of area residents concerned about cough, cold or possible COVID symptoms continues to rise in our area.
Open until at least March 30, 2023, the NHH Cough, Cold and COVID Assessment Centre offers a fast and effective assessment and treatment option for anyone experiencing worsening cough, cold, earaches, sore throats, congestion and fever— symptoms typically associated with respiratory illnesses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), influenza, and COVID-19. All ages are welcome.
Available by appointment only (no walk-ins) the Assessment Centre offers timely help to local families by offering:
- phone-based consultation (often avoiding the need for in-person visits) for those with questions or concerns regarding moderate/worsening cough, cold or COVID-19 symptoms;
- booked appointments with a clinician, often SAME DAY;
- testing, as eligible, including COVID-19 PCR testing, with quick turnaround on
results; and
- prescriptions for treatment as applicable.
How to book an appointment
Call 905-377-7783 or 1-833-678-2435 to speak to a member of the NHH Cough, Cold and COVID Assessment team. Walk-ins are not permitted, due to space constraints. Appointments must be pre-booked.
In all urgent situations, such as chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, altered state of consciousness, and confusion, call 911 or go directly to the nearest Emergency Department.
“With respiratory viruses circulating so widely, NHH’s expanded Cough, Cold and COVID Assessment Centre aims to offer an easy-to-access alternate care option for residents,” said Susan Walsh, NHH President and CEO.
“The aim is that by offering focused care for respiratory illness to both adults and children in the Assessment Centre, we can offer an alternate option to local families
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while saving the Emergency Department for emergencies. We are grateful for every member of our team who has stepped up to support this Centre since the beginning of the pandemic, including the dedicated local primary care providers who continue to bring their expertise to the Centre to efficiently and effectively meet local need.”
For further details on location and services, see the related Frequently Asked Questions at www.nhh.ca
Media contact: Jennifer Gillard, Senior Director, Patient Experience, Public Affairs and Partnerships, 905-377-7757 or jgillard@nhh.ca.
About Northumberland Hills Hospital – Located approximately 100 kilometres east of Toronto, NHH delivers a broad range of acute, post-acute, outpatient and diagnostic services. Acute services include emergency and intensive care, medical/surgical care, obstetrical care and palliative care. Post-acute specialty services (PASS) include restorative care and rehabilitation. Mental health care, cancer and supportive care, dialysis and other ambulatory care clinics are offered on an outpatient basis through partnerships with regional centres and nearby specialists. NHH offers a full range of diagnostic services, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and mammography. The hospital serves the catchment area of west Northumberland County. A mixed urban and rural population of approximately 63,000 residents, west Northumberland comprises the Town of Cobourg, the Municipality of Port Hope, Alderville First Nation and the townships of Hamilton, Cramahe and Alnwick/Haldimand. NHH employs more than 700 people and relies on the additional support provided by physicians, midwives and volunteers. NHH is an active member of Ontario Health (East)—formerly the Central East Local Health Integration Network—and the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland. For more information, please visit nhh.ca or follow us on Facebook @northumberlandhillshosp or Twitter @NorHillsHosp.
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PRAYER AT ST. PETER’S
Many in our church community and in our own families are in need of intercessory prayers.
If you or someone you know would benefit from our prayers contact the church office, (905) 372-3442 or send an email to info@stpeterscobourg.org. A volunteer will contact you to get more information. If you are asking to have someone’s name added to our prayer list, be sure to ask the person for permission.
As part of intercessory prayers, all on our list, are prayed for at the Thursday 10 am Eucharist. In addition, a Prayer Chain prays regularly for those in need. Prayers can be requested via email to donnabro1@gmail.com. Twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 11 am, a small prayer group gathers via Zoom to offer prayers for the needs of our parish, the needs of the world and all who have requested prayers. If you would like more information about how to participate, contact Nancy Marshall at nmarshall@rogers.com.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Would you like to have your very own prayer shawl? Do you know someone who would benefit from receiving one? Feeling the love and healing presence of God in your daily life can bring peace and comfort. Recently, a thank you note was received from a thankful recipient of a prayer shawl.
“Dear Ladies of St. Peter’s,
Thank you for the lovely prayer shawl and your caring thoughts. Currently I am in remission and very grateful. May God be with you.
Sincerely…”
Over the past 10 years, hundreds of prayer shawls, baby blankets, lap rugs, hats, and mittens have been distributed around the community.
Our knitters and crocheters continue to craft exquisite offerings and we have a plentiful supply of blessed prayer shawls available to share. Prayer shawls are freely available to all.
If you would like a prayer shawl for yourself, a family member or friend, contact the church office or Janet Lang, janetlang0620@gmail.com. You can also ask anyone on the H&W team to assist you in getting a prayer shawl.
THURSDAY MORNING EUCHARIST
This service, in the Chapel at 10 am on Thursday mornings, follows the Book of Common Prayer. Following the service there is a time of fellowship in the Hutton Room. Coffee, tea and treats are available. Friendly conversation is helping to refresh our spirits and to build connections.
Please join us. All are welcome.
The next meeting of the H&W team will be on Monday October 17th at 2 pm in the Hutton Room. If you are interested in joining this active team, contact Nancy Marshall at nmarshall@rogers.com or call (905) 375-3195.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care ministry is considered one of the most vital ministries at St. Peter’s. Since Cobourg has long been a favourite retirement community, many members of the church are either confined to their own homes or reside in nursing homes or one of the retirement residences. The Pastoral Ministry team has over twenty members who make regular visits to parishioners.
The group holds regular meetings, with the parish nurse and the clergy as resource people, to share information, provide mutual support and to participate in educational programs to strengthen their skills for this ministry. Many members of the team report that their involvement in this ministry has been extremely rewarding and many of those visited report how much they appreciate the visits.
Reminder
Parishioners are reminded to let the clergy know, by phoning the church office 905-372-3442, when family members are ill in hospital. Occasionally parishioners who are admitted don’t give their denomination and are not on the “Anglican list”, so clergy have no way of knowing they are in hospital.
THE HEALTH AND HEALING TEAMS
Support and assist our Parish Nurse, Karen Li. Programs to both foster the relationship between faith and health and promote caring for the whole person, body, mind and spirit, are offered to our parishioners and the wider-community.
Your involvement and support are both encouraged and appreciated!
If you have an hour or two once a month, please consider getting involved with the Health and Healing Ministry.
For more information about any of the programs outlined, please contact Karen Li through the church office or speak with any of the Health and Healing Ministry Team.
Friends @ 10 is operated by a special group of dedicated volunteers most Friday mornings in the Hutton Room. Parishioners and members of the community gather to visit with our Parish Nurse at her Friday Clinic ??or to have a chat with others over a cup of tea or coffee. Everyone is welcome.
Prayer Shawls are created by gifted crafters and blessed before being presented to the sick, elderly, bereaved and newly baptized. Mittens are given to our preschoolers each year. If you know someone who would appreciate a shawl or mittens, speak with Karen Li.
Anyone who would like to participate in this ministry should contact the coordinators, Janet Baillie and Janet Lang
Transportation, for those unable to get to church services, is offered by faithful volunteers.
If you have time and are available to assist, please call the church office and leave a message for Pauline Cyr. Both Pauline and our parishioners will welcome your support.
Thursday Fellowship, this gathering enjoys a cup of coffee or tea and a variety of delicious treats following the 10 a.m. Eucharist. On the third Thursday of the month, we celebrate the month’s birthdays with a cake, cards and rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday”. All are welcome.
Friendly Visitors to Northumberland Hills Hospital Sandra O’Neill-Brown and Rhonda Cross spend time with our parishioners and others who
Foot Care is offered once a month to our Soupertime Guests by our former Parish Nurse, Diane Froncz.
Dental Care is offered to Soupertime guests by Fran Richardson. Dental supplies and advice are provided.
Alongsiders pray daily for those in need of specific prayers as well as the parish and the world. A prayer chain is created by several Alongsiders, for emergency situations. Donna Brotherhood prepares the monthly guide — even while she’s living a snowbird’s Florida life.
Volunteer Care Teams are coordinated by our Parish Nurse Karen Li. These teams are created to meet the needs of parishioners or their family members by providing a range of assistance, e.g. from helping with eye drops to driving someone to an appointment, or keeping a sick person company while providing respite for a caregiver. The parishioner’s privacy is essential and the operations of the Care Teams are confidential.
Volunteer Pastoral Care visitors spend time with seniors in neighbouring retirement and nursing homes. Our seniors welcome the companionship. St Peter’s offers monthly worship services in local care facilities in Cobourg and Port Hope. Helen Notter coordinates the Pastoral Care Team; she would welcome your involvement and support. Please call the church office.
Free Health and Wellness Education programs are offered throughout the year to parishioners and members of the larger community.
Lunch and Learn sessions are offered following the 10:30 am Sunday services.
Interactive Workshops with refreshments are offered during the week. Past topics have ranged from Elder Abuse and Parkinson’s to Arthritis and First Aid.
Visit our calendar to see our exciting plans for the upcoming year. Participants are asked to register with the church office to assist with planning and organizing refreshments.
Blessing and Healing Prayers bring comfort to anyone experiencing physical or emotional issues. Talk to us about specific concerns that you want included in prayer. These prayers are offered up in the chapel following worship services.
A Caregivers’ Support Group is facilitated by our Parish Nurse, Karen Li. The group provides assistance for those caring for a loved one with chronic health issues. You are invited to join the conversation on Tuesdays from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Understanding and acceptance of all situations is offered. Sessions end with prayer. Contact Karen Li.
A BLUE CHRISTMAS service is offered on the Sunday before Christmas for those who have suffered loss and are feeling lonely or sad. The service includes readings, prayers and music and the lighting of candles. Following the service, the Health and Healing team offers refreshments and fellowship.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry mission is to knit/crochet lovingly-crafted shawls which are then blessed and presented to the sick, elderly, bereaved and newly baptized.
