Health

School immunization records assessment expanding to UCDSB in February

SUBMITTED Last month, South East Health Unit (formerly the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) began conducting immunization record assessments for students born in 2020, 2017 and 2008. Having […]

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A community triumph: Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department opens at CPDMH

LAURIE WEIR After years of planning and anticipation, the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) celebrated the grand opening of the Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department (ED) at Carleton Place and District […]

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Local author supports Manie Daniels Centre in Maberly with new book, Last Call

LAURIE WEIR A new novel by local author Joe Weber is giving back to the community in a big way. Last Call, a story rooted in addiction and redemption, is […]

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Rising food insecurity in Eastern Ontario: Causes, Impacts and solutions

SUBMITTED Public health units across eastern Ontario are collaborating to raise awareness about the growing problem of food insecurity, which is having a profound impact on individuals and families in […]

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Hospice Hub expands services with new day program and leadership

HEDDY SOROUR Securing permanent and sustainable funding is the Hospice Hub’s next priority. The fledgling organization has managed to secure several grants and had two extraordinarily successful fund raisers in the […]

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CPDMH announces official grand opening of the new emergency department

SUBMITTED After years of planning, dedication, and anticipation, the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) is proud to announce the official grand opening of the new Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department (ED) […]

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Major milestone brings CPDMH new Emergency Department closer to opening

SUBMITTED The Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA) is proud to announce a major milestone in the journey toward enhanced healthcare access for our community. The new Thomas Cavanagh Emergency Department […]

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Record Splash: Perth Polar Bear Plunge raises $83K for Hospice Hub

LAURIE WEIR The 2025 Perth Polar Bear Plunge set new records. A total of 222 jumpers braved the frigid Jan. 1 temperatures of the Little Tay in Perth, raising more […]

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Opinion: Let’s stop pretending January is a good time for resolutions

LAURIE WEIR Ah, January. It will soon be upon us. The month where we’re all supposed to magically transform into the best versions of ourselves—right after spending December in a […]

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South East Health Unit to launch in 2025: A united vision for healthier communities

SUBMITTED The boards of health for Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH), Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health (KFLAPH) and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) […]

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Kemptville District Hospital unveils new x-ray machine

SUBMITTED Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is pleased to announce that its new general x-ray machine is operational. The state-of-the-art diagnostic tool saw its first patient on Wednesday, November 20. “The […]

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Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer visits Kemptville District Hospital

SUBMITTED Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) welcomed Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Canada, Dr. Leigh Chapman, on Tuesday, November 19. The visit included a tour of KDH, conversations with nurses and […]

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New Emergency Department at CPDMH nears completion

SUBMITTED The Mississippi River Health Alliance (“MRHA”) is pleased to provide an update on the progress of the highly anticipated new Emergency Department (“ED”) at Carleton Place & District Memorial […]

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Health Unit focusing on root causes of food insecurity during November

SUBMITTED The Health Unit is raising awareness about the root cause of food insecurity….poverty. Food insecurity is the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. For many […]

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Lanark County Paramedic Chief Travis Mellema receives Leadership Award

SUBMITTED Lanark County Paramedic Service (“LCPS” or “the Service”) Chief Travis Mellema has been recognized with the distinguished Richard J. Armstrong Leadership Award at this year’s Ontario Association of Paramedic […]

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Smiths Falls faces physician recruitment challenges

LAURIE WEIR How can Smiths Falls recruit more family physicians? That was the question posed by Coun. Chris McGuire to Carlene MacDonald, Physician Recruiter, Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, during a […]

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PAP-APALOOZA Oct. 31 for unattached patients across the region

Perth Family Health Team partners with hospital for screening SUBMITTED In response to high demand, the Perth Family Health Team is partnering the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital, the […]

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PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre welcomes new Executive Director

SUBMITTED The PEP Seniors Therapeutic Centre (PEP) is excited to announce that Alexandra Prefasi has been appointed as the Centre’s new Executive Director, beginning this month. PEP is a day program […]

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Lanark County Paramedics honoured at Long Service Awards ceremony

SUBMITTED On September 19th, 2024, the Lanark County Paramedic Service (“LCPS”) hosted its annual Long Service Medal Awards ceremony, celebrating the dedication and contributions of paramedics who have provided exceptional […]

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Local hospital welcomes midwife to the obstetrical team

SUBMITTED The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is delighted to welcome Lauren Tignanelli as its first hospital-based midwife. This addition aims to enhance maternal and infant health […]

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Kidney Walk crushes $10,000 goal in Perth

LAURIE WEIR The 2024 Kidney Foundation walk has raised more than $2 million across Canada, with over $1 million coming from Ontario alone. Residents of Perth and the surrounding area […]

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Grant Deme, Perth radio personality seeking a living donor to save his life

LAURIE WEIR Grant Deme, a young journalist with myFM (Lake 88.1) in Perth, is urgently seeking a living liver donor as he battles a rare and life-threatening disease. At 28 […]

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Seniors for Climate to celebrate National Seniors Day

SUBMITTED October 1, 2024 is National Seniors Day in Canada, and also the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. Climate Network Lanark is enthusiastically joining Seniors for Climate for […]

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Local hospital introduces mobility team to improve patient outcomes 

SUBMITTED The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is proud to announce a new and innovative program that will support our in-patients and enhance their mobility.  In August […]

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Community Home Support Lanark County: 35 years of serving the community

LAURIE WEIR Community Home Support Lanark County (CHSLC) has been a cornerstone of support for seniors, adults with physical disabilities, and individuals diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses for the past 35 […]

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Health Unit school suspension letters going out this week

SUBMITTED The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit conducted immunization record assessments for students in JK/SK, and for students ages 7 and 17 years old during the previous school […]

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Horse in Lanark County tests positive for EEEV

SUBMITTED Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) is normally found in wild birds but can occasionally spread to horses and humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Similar to West Nile […]

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Local hospice initiative takes flight in Perth-Smiths Falls

Sally Smiths It doesn’t take a lot to get a good idea off the ground. Anne Janssen knows this. Talk to her about the in-the-works Hospice Hub for the Perth-Smiths […]

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New Perth Family Health Team to increase access to health care in Lanark County

LAURIE WEIR A ground-breaking family health team is set to increase access to health care for the residents of Perth and surrounding areas. The Perth Family Health Team (PFHT) aims […]

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Health Unit raises awareness of harmful algal blooms

SUBMITTED Potentially harmful algal blooms including blue-green algae are a natural seasonal phenomenon that may appear in our lakes, rivers and ponds. Many of these blooms are relatively harmless; however, […]

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High heat and humidity alert: Essential health tips from LGLDHU

SUBMITTED High temperatures and humidity are expected today and over the weekend and this may affect your health. Becoming over heated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and in […]

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Beach Water Testing Program begins this week

SUBMITTED The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has started weekly water sampling of the area’s public bathing beaches for this year.  The results of the testing will appear […]

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Sharbot Lake Chiropractic & Wellness Centre hosts free information session

Learn about menopause and pelvic floor health from Naturopath Doctor, Dr. Doneisha Dodd and Physiotherapist Andrea Picket SUBMITTED Menopause is much more than hot flashes and night sweats.  For many, […]

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Get ready to move: The Silver Chain Challenge returns this June

SUBMITTED Lace up your sneakers and pump up your bike tires: the annual Silver Chain Challenge is back this June 2024!  This exciting month-long event invites participants from Lanark County […]

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New family health team to modernize healthcare in Perth

SUBMITTED A ground-breaking family health team will soon begin operation that will address the diverse health needs of the residents of Perth and surrounding area.  The Perth Family Health Team […]

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Veteran battles Parkinson’s with model helis and tenacious spirit

SALLY SMITH Tom Kondert was 65 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s; he’s verging on 81 this month…and except for a stilted, slow walk (sometimes he walks with a cane […]

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CHEO pediatric day surgery program expands to Carleton Place

SUBMITTED A new regional pediatric surgical program has been launched to address the waitlist for surgeries for children and youth in eastern Ontario and bring care closer to families across […]

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#DoItForCraiger fundraising horseshoe tournament slated for April 27 in Toledo

April is BeADonor month across Canada LAURIE WEIR After losing her husband during his organ transplant journey, Bobbi-Jo Craig of Smiths Falls has become an advocate for organ donation. It […]

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Good Food in Schools Forum at Kemptville Campus spotlights schools’ efforts to build food literacy

SUBMITTED Partners across Leeds-Grenville and Lanark are collaborating to host the Good Food in Schools Forum at Kemptville Campus on April 11th. This one-day event will bring together stakeholders working on school food education and programs […]

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Health Unit recommends routine testing for syphilis

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is reminding residents about a local rise in cases of syphilis, and to consider getting tested for syphilis. Syphilis is a bacterial […]

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Town of Perth supports local Family Health Organizations’ funding quest to improve access for all residents

SUBMITTED One Family Health Organization (FHO) located within the Town of Perth recently received an injection of funding from the provincial government as part of the province’s overall investment to […]

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New Emergency Department taking shape

SUBMITTED BY MISSISSIPPI RIVER HEALTH ALLIANCE Construction on the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital’s (CPDMH) new Emergency Department is on track with dozens of workers on-site working on multiple […]

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Health Unit reminds parents about immunizations needed for school

SUBMITTED BY LEEDS, GRENVILLE AND LANARK DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT This January, the Health Unit is starting to send out letters informing over 6000 families they are required to submit immunization […]

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Council declines to offer support for Til Death Do Us Part Act

BY JANELLE LABELLE During the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night, Smiths Falls’ town council discussed a letter received from Catherine Fife, MPP in Waterloo. “This is another […]

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Home Hospice North Lanark invites you to a Death Café

SUBMITTED BY HOME HOSPICE NORTH LANARK Embrace the conversation! In our part of the world, we tend toward not wanting to talk about death, or think about it, or plan […]

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Home Hospice North Lanark launches new program for caregivers

SUBMITTED BY HOME HOSPICE NORTH LANARK Are you a caregiver? We know that even when you take it on willingly, this role can be challenging. It can be difficult to […]

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Local Boards of Health investigate possible merger

Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Board of Health, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District (LGLD) Board of Health, and the Hastings Prince Edward (HPE) Board of Health endorsed […]

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Health Unit introduces prenatal breastfeeding information sessions

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is pleased to announce the start of their prenatal breastfeeding information sessions starting this January. Are you pregnant? Have questions about breastfeeding? Get […]

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Food safety tips over the holidays

It’s that time of year again when families and friends get together to celebrate and that usually means food is involved.  Safe food preparation matters because slip ups in food […]

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KFL&A Public Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit urges influenza vaccination

As influenza has been detected in the region, KFL&A Public Health and Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit strongly advises getting vaccinated against the flu, with a particular emphasis […]

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PSFDH Foundation’s Black-Tie Bingo Gala raises over $108,000 for New MRI

On Saturday, November 18th,2023, the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation held a Black-Tie Bingo Charity Gala at Code’s Mill on the Park.  The sold-out gala raised an amazing […]

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Major CPAP recall; is yours safe to use?

CPAP machines, (standing for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) have been around for years and approximately 2.5% of our population uses them for a variety of reasons, with the most common […]

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Outbreak declared at Pakenham Public School

Parents/guardians, staff and students at Pakenham Public School received notification today that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 at the school.  An outbreak is declared when […]

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Unsecured needles lead to neighbourhood crisis

During Smiths Falls council meeting Monday night, Councillor Lorraine Allen brought a brief update from the Municipal Drug Strategy Committee which promotes school/community based prevention and harm reduction programs and […]

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Confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Lombardy Public School

Parents/guardians and staff at Lombardy Public School in Smiths Falls received notification over the weekend that two individuals at the school have tested positive for COVID-19. The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health […]

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Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Region moved to yellow – Protect level

Today the government of Ontario announced that the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark region will move from the Green–Prevent level to the Yellow – Protect level of the Keeping Ontario Safe and […]

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In-person learning return dates for UCDSB Students

This school year has been about balancing our students’ academic needs and the obligation to keep them, and our staff, safe while at school.  Late yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Education informed […]

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COVID-19 self-isolation centre for precariously housed individuals still available

Lanark County agencies are reminding citizens that a self-isolation centre continues to be available for people in precarious housing situations who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting results. […]

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