In this edition of the Insider:
- Our Community Report for the 2022/23 fiscal year
- Masking requirements eased at Mackenzie Health as COVID-19 rates stabilize
- Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic now in Vaughan and Richmond Hill
- Bringing diabetes care closer to home
- Register today to ride for Mackenzie Health!
Highlights from the 2022/23 fiscal year
Our annual community report highlights our key accomplishments and milestones from the 2022-2023 fiscal year. From improving our staffing levels to easing the surgical backlog, wrapping up our $250 million Ultimate campaign and the ongoing work to renew and refresh parts of Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, we’ve achieved so much. To learn more read the full report here.
Masking requirements eased at Mackenzie Health as COVID-19 rates stabilize
While masks are now optional in most areas in our hospitals, they are still required for staff and physicians while delivering care to protect our vulnerable patients. Masks are also required when visiting a patient and in the Emergency Department, our Hemodialysis Units and Chemotherapy Clinic waiting areas.
Masks are intended to keep our most vulnerable patients safe from the risks of respiratory illness. In this more stable period, transmission rates of COVID-19 and respiratory illnesses remain low in our community. Like many other GTA hospitals, we adjusted masking requirements at Mackenzie Health and have taken a balanced approach to ensure that we continue to provide a comfortable working environment for our staff, physicians and volunteers while also limiting the risk of transmission as we provide safe, quality care to our patients.
Effective July 5, masks are still required for staff and physicians while providing direct patient care, for visitors when in a patient room and for everyone in the Emergency Department, our Hemodialysis Units and Chemotherapy Clinic waiting areas. Masks are optional in all other areas.
Mackenzie Health is a mask-friendly environment and we support everyone’s choice to wear a mask in spaces where they’re not required. Masks continue to be available for everyone at all main entrances to our hospitals.
Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic now in Vaughan and Richmond Hill
Our littlest patients have access to specialized urgent care at both of our hospitals.
Having a sick child is stressful. And sitting in a busy Emergency Department with your child can only add to that stress. Mackenzie Health’s Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic is now available by referral to support the youngest patients in our community at both of our hospital sites as an alternative to being treated in the Emergency Department. The clinic has specially trained nurses and pediatricians offering quick assessments, testing and treatment to sick kids at both Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.
While not a walk-in clinic, children can be referred to the Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic by their family doctor, midwife or following a visit to one of our Emergency Departments to receive specialized care for things like fever, asthma, jaundice and dehydration.
“The Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic was designed to keep our youngest patients out of the busy Emergency Department so they can be cared for by our expert team of pediatricians and pediatric nurses,” says Dr. Filippe Scerbo, Chief of Pediatrics at Mackenzie Health.
“In the clinic, we can do bloodwork, provide IV rehydration and fast track access to x-rays and ultrasounds, while keeping children comfortable in a bright and welcoming space tailor-made for them,” continues Dr. Scerbo.
Since opening a second clinic location at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital in April, we've had more than 730 additional patient visits.
To learn more about the Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic and the referral process, please visit the Woman and Child page on our website.
Bringing diabetes care closer to home
The Mobile Diabetes Foot Care Clinic made its first stop in Richmond Hill in June to bring diabetes care closer to home for patients.
For people like Louise who live with diabetes, taking care of your feet can prevent serious complications like infections or even limb amputation.
In June, Mackenzie Health joined with other hospitals and health care providers in York Region to launch a Mobile Diabetes Foot Care Clinic pilot. This clinic launched in Richmond Hill in the parking lot of the Richmond Hill Central Library and is travelling across the region spending a few days every month in a different part of York Region, bringing necessary footcare closer to home for people living with diabetes.
To hear more about Louise’s experience and how to access the mobile clinic, watch this video.
“Preventative care is so important for people living with diabetes because of what can happen down the road if prevention isn’t practiced up front,” says Lynn Woods, Manager of the Diabetes Education Program and Chronic Disease Wellness Centre at Mackenzie Health.
The clinic is also convenient for people who may struggle to travel to stationary clinics across the region and for those who may have mobility challenges.
“We’re bringing the care directly to them where they are,” says Lynn.
Louise, the first patient who received foot care at the mobile clinic, was impressed by the expertise of the staff providing her care. “Knowing that I had a nurse doing the work and that everything would be hygienic – that’s what I’m always worried about,” says Louise.
This clinic is available to patients referred by the Diabetes Education Clinic at each hospital, family health team or community health centre.
To learn more about Louise’s experience and how to access the mobile clinic, watch this video, take a look at our news release and read an article featuring the clinic in the Richmond Hill Liberal.
For more information about the services provided through the Mackenzie Health Diabetes Education Centre, please visit our website.
Register today to ride for Mackenzie Health!
Grab your bike, gather some friends and join us at the 9th annual Ride for Mackenzie Health, presented by CIBC! Taking place on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 at Westlin Farms, this year’s event will be the first in-person Ride in three years. Cyclists can choose between a 40, 70 or 100 km designated route through the beauty of York Region. When you register, consider creating or joining a team to rally your friends, family, and network to help advance the highest priority needs of Mackenzie Health’s two hospital sites. Our goal this year is to raise $360,000. With your support, Mackenzie Health can continue to invest in the spaces, programs, people and technology that ensure world-leading, compassionate health care is close to home. Register today or learn more at MHFRide.ca.
Protect yourself from the sun this summer
Dr. Khizer Amin shares a few tips on avoiding sunburn and sunstroke to help keep you out of the Emergency Department this summer. Check out the video on our YouTube channel.
Join our Mackenzie Health family!
Back in 2017, when Aquina finished her student placement in our Critical Care unit, she decided this was the unit where she wanted to build her career. She’s been working as a nurse there ever since.
“I love the team here and always feel supported,” she says. “Working in Critical Care means you’re working with people who need lifesaving medicine and equipment. Having that support from the very beginning was such an important part of my development.”
Nurses like Aquina make all the difference in providing excellence in patient care. To see if Mackenzie Health is the right place for you to thrive in your career, visit the Careers page on our website.