COVID-19 testing clinics are transitioning to assessment centres in Renfrew County.
The Director of Emergency Services and Chief Paramedic, Michael Nolan, provided an update to Renfrew County Council at the end of April (April 27th, 2022). Nolan says paramedics are using ID Now Machines which offer 15-minute test results and provide higher reliability than standard rapid tests. The Chief Paramedic says the clinical assessment centres provide a space for paramedics to do a full assessment on patients and determine their eligibility for antiviral treatments.
When Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this year, he says he needed to get someone to drive him to Ottawa in order to receive antiviral treatment.
Renfrew County Warden Debbie Robinson says the community assessment centres do not mean VTAC is going offline. Robinson told members of County Council 25,000 residents in Renfrew County do not have a family doctor and another two physicians are set to retire within the next year. She says the County of Renfrew has to be innovative because there’s no way there will be enough family physicians for everyone in the region.
Renfrew Reeve Peter Emon says the issue with family doctors will not be fixed overnight and he doesn’t anticipate moving back to only offering bricks and mortar health care settings.
The Chief Paramedic and Director of Emergency Services for the County of Renfrew adds the clinical assessment centres are hopefully here to stay as an extension of virtual care offered.
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