PR: AVH Opens Flu Assessment Clinic

October 30, 2009- Annapolis Valley Health will open it’s first flu assessment clinic in response to the increased volume of patients with flu like symptoms presenting in doctors’ offices and at our various sites in the eastern end of the Annapolis Valley. In order to open this clinic, Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre (EKM), Wolfville will temporary suspend non-urgent walk in clinic hours to allow the flu assessment clinic to be located at the health centre. No other services at the EKM will be affected at this time.

The flu assessment clinic will open tomorrow, Saturday, October 31 and operate from 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm daily until further notice. This clinic will serve individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms and feel they need to see a health care professional. This is not a flu vaccination clinic. We ask while visiting this clinic to please be patient as we anticipate increased volumes.

The intent of the flu assessment clinic is to provide the community access to a comprehensive assessment to ensure timely care and avoid further transmission. Valley Regional Hospital Emergency Department and Western Kings Memorial Health Centre Outpatient Clinic will be redirecting patients with mild to moderate flu like symptoms to the flu assessment clinic at EKM.

We remind the community for non-urgent care please visit Western Kings Memorial Health Centre, Berwick. For emergency care please dial 911 or visit Valley Regional Hospital Emergency Department.

General infection control practices, such as washing hands, coughing into your sleeve, continually help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including H1N1. Please remember for inquires regarding H1N1 to call 811. AVH is committed to provide quality care to the residents in the Annapolis Valley and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. AVH wants to thank the community in advance for their patience and understanding during this time.

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For more information please contact,
Tamara Gilley, (902) 670-8263