Kingsville Times

At what age should women’s breasts receive radiation to detect breast cancer? In Canada, some provinces are lowering the age of eligibility from 50 to 40, even before a task force releases an update on breast cancer screening guidelines. The current guidelines do not recommend routine screening for women in […]

The College of Nurses of Ontario is marking a significant milestone in health care as we begin to authorize Registered Nurses (RNs) to prescribe medication in Ontario. Under regulations approved by government in November 2023, RNs in the General Class who meet specific requirements gained the authority to prescribe certain medications and […]

Have even one in a thousand North Americans ever heard of Kissick’ s Law?  More than 25 years ago, if you were reading the Ontario Medical Review, you would have seen an article, written by Dr. Samuel Vaisrub, explaining the message. Kissick stated that if the U.S. Declaration of Independence […]

As of March 6, 257 elementary students are suspended from school for continuing to have incomplete immunization records with the Health Unit; as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990. Children remaining on school suspension will have the suspension order lifted once parents/guardians take one or more […]

As of March 4, 2024, 599 elementary students are suspended from school for continuing to have incomplete immunization records with the Health Unit; as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990. Children remaining on school suspension will have the suspension order lifted once parents/guardians take one or more […]

“The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) (1990), Section 11, Subsections (1) and (2) require public health units to maintain and review immunization records for every student attending school in Ontario; and to enforce a school suspension on students with incomplete immunization records. In the Fall of 2023, immunization records of […]

The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is asking Ontario’s nurses to participate in a first-of-its-kind census. On Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) launched its first Workforce Census. The census, which is being sent to about 200,000 nurses in the province, includes questions that […]

Few children have the good fortune of wishing “Happy 100th Birthday” to a vibrant, healthy parent reaching that esteemed age. But that’s what my brothers and I are doing this week. We’ve had the incredible journey of growing up with Dr. W. Gifford-Jones as our dad! Countless people have asked, what’s […]

There has been a significant increase of measles activity worldwide, with measles cases recently reported in Ontario. As March Break approaches for many in the region, the WECHU strongly advises everyone to ensure they are up to date with all their vaccinations, including measles, prior to travelling. Individuals who are not fully […]

Years ago, after interviewing Dr. Michael McDonald, I asked, “Will you be my cardiologist?” Now, as I reach my 100th year I’m grateful his sound advice has kept me alive. He’s associated with the world class Peter Munk Cardiac Center affiliated with the University of Toronto. During my visit he […]

$424,525 is being invested in the Essex County NPLC to expand services The Ontario government is investing $424,525 to connect more people to primary care teams in Windsor-Essex through the Essex County Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic (NPLC). This is part of Ontario’s $110 million investment to connect up to 328,000 […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will be closed to the public on Monday, February 19, 2024 for Family Day. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit  

What do you hope for each morning as your tired eyes read the news? You try to be a positive person, but day by day, things are getting worse. The world is in an awful mess. If there is a God, how cruel a deity to let suffering continue. Is […]

Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) has officially broken ground in its eagerly anticipated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite, heralding a new era in diagnostic precision and patient care for Essex County. Scheduled to be completed in late 2024, the project is poised to transform healthcare delivery at ESHC. The purchase of […]

To raise youth awareness of the health effects of vaping, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has launched the Break the Vape Challenge. The Break the Vape Challenge is a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest. The WECHU encourages local students in grades 6 to 12 to use their voices […]

After a successful trial period, Windsor Regional Hospital’s Paediatric Emergency Diversion Service (PEDs) is getting set to expand to 7 days a week. Thanks to Ontario Ministry of Health funding, the pilot program was rolled out in September 2023 with the aim at reducing the time paediatric patients spend in […]

The Windsor Regional Cancer Centre is proud to offer a new service for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. In August, The Paxman Scalp Cooling System (PSCS) also known as ‘cold cap’ became available onsite for patients to book, in an effort to help reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. The […]

Is necessity or curiosity the mother of innovation? Sometimes good old common sense is the driving factor, and there will be no Nobel prize for seeing the obvious. That, however, is what’s behind a new development in barber shops and hair salons. What’s the buzz? It’s that barbers and hairdressers […]

Windsor Regional Hospital was recognized by Ontario Health (Trillium Gift of Life Network) for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2022/23. In total, Windsor Regional Hospital was presented with three awards: Hospital Achievement Award – Provincial Conversion Rate (7th year) reaching a […]

As of January 31, 2024 there are 2,593 elementary school students that are at risk of school suspension on March 1, 2024 due to missing vaccinations or immunization records that have not yet been submitted to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) as required by the Immunization of School Pupils Act […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is proud to have entered a multi-faceted memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Windsor (UW) in 2022 to better serve the public health needs of Windsor-Essex County. Under this initiative, UW and WECHU have explored the possibility of research and knowledge translation […]

This week let’s look behind the scenes, in the labs where doctors and scientists are designing health supplements that address specific goals. What’s motivating them? What are they trying to do? And how successful are they? There are thousands of natural health supplements on the market – from vitamins and […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a warning to travelers and anyone who may have been exposed to measles infection at the following locations: Flight Lufthansa LH1661 from Timisoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR/LRTR), Romania, to Munich Airport (MU), Germany, on January 11, 2024, Departure time 6:14 AM (EET), […]

The Push-Up Challenge and Canadian Mental Health Association rally the support of Canadians in their push for better mental health this February. This February, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is encouraging Canadians to push for better mental health by participating in fitness-based mental health initiative, The Push-Up Challenge. The […]

Last week’s column suggested we are minnows in the grand life adventure. This week we’ll look at little beings in our bellies that seem to have outsized influence. What is it about these microscopic components of the gut-brain connection that leads us to thinking that a postbiotic supplement might be […]

The University of Windsor’s Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with Continuing Education and with the Ontario Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner consortium, is launching a groundbreaking certification program that will allow registered nurses to prescribe certain medications. With this College of Nurses of Ontario-approved certificate from the Ontario University Consortium RN […]

By the time you are reading this article, the stakes establishing the life course of your health have long been set. Your genetic inheritance, location, and family circumstances, combined with a complex set of early life factors determine how your health trajectory will begin. Through childhood and adulthood, you have […]

As Windsor and Essex County begins to experience much colder temperatures, the community is reminded that there is support for those experiencing homelessness in our area. Below is a list of key services available for people experiencing homelessness in Windsor and Essex County: Services in Windsor Downtown Mission Shelter beds […]

Based on Environment Canada’s forecast, Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s Medical Officer of Health has issued a Cold Warning for January 15, 2024. A Cold Warning is issued when the temperature reaches -15°C (5°F) without the wind chill for one day. Everyone is at risk from cold, especially […]

One week into the New Year, and how are you doing on your resolutions? Most people make ambitious plans at the end of December and by this point can’t remember what they were. A few people overdo it, like those who commit to running a marathon before they’ve had success […]

Marilyn Monroe, the American actress and sex symbol of the 1950s, said, “Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature.” It was scandalous then, and speaking about sex is still difficult terrain for many people. A reader recently asked for our thoughts on how to advise young […]

Windsor Regional Hospital seeks public input on the products and services that should offered at the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) and the J.C. Williams group are developing an Ancillary Services Strategy for the New Windsor/Essex Acute Care Hospital and are inviting all community members, staff, professional staff and […]

Why is it that the scariest and toughest illnesses occur at the festive time of year? Instead of family gatherings at home with music and merriment, for some people the holidays involve hushed tones at the bedside in a hospital. It may have started as nothing serious. An ache. Maybe […]

Health officials across the country are raising concerns about a new nicotine product that is being sold without age restrictions. Nicotine pouches under the brand name ”Zonnic” are being sold in flavours and packaging that are attractive to younger populations. The pouches are now widely available in local convenience stores […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit offices will be closed on: Friday, December 22 Monday, December 25 Tuesday, December 26 Friday, December 29 Monday, January 1, 2024 Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Abraham Orthodontics was proud to present a donation of over $15,000.00 to the Erie Shores Health Foundation in support of the first MRI in Leamington at Erie Shores Health Care. The Abraham Orthodontics Holiday Social was a collaborative effort under the foundations’ Night of A Thousand Parties, where local businesses […]

SCOPE EXPANSION ALERT! In addition to all our previously listed vaccines we are now able to administer the RSV vaccination. This vaccine is not a public health vaccine and still requires a prescription from a prescriber (MD or NP) to obtain but now rather than having to take it to […]

Heart disease is called the “silent killer”. Why? Because the first symptom can be a fatal attack. Most people lead their lives unaware of the ticking time bomb within, neglecting lifestyle changes that could radically reduce the risk. The fact is, preventing heart disease needs to be a lifelong practice, […]

In a Canadian first, Children’s Hospital is improving the lives of paediatric epilepsy patients with new groundbreaking treatments Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition in paediatrics affecting approximately one in one-hundred Canadian children. For 11-year-old Makayla Douglass, epileptic seizures have been a part of her life since being diagnosed […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has partnered with Essex Fire and Rescue Services as part of the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP). This new partnership will expand access and the use of naloxone during emergency overdose responses involving opioids. Through this program, the WECHU provides naloxone nasal spray to eligible […]

One-third of people in Canada have no dental insurance. In 2022, one out of every four Canadians reported that they have avoided visiting an oral health professional because of the expense, according to Health Canada. Poor oral health can lead to serious diseases and health complications, as well as higher […]

What’s the most depressing part of a newspaper? It’s the obituary section where you see many people dying too early in life. What causes these untimely deaths? A Gifford-Jones Law states that one bad health problem inevitably leads to another and another, causing people to die early. One of the […]

What’s the gift we’d like to have in stock for our readers this holiday season? It would be a healthy dose of common sense, and a reminder that not every health problem needs a medical solution. Unfortunately, few people open their minds when confronted with a swollen joint, an injury […]

The following statement was issued by Dr. Kenneth Blanchette, Chief Executive Officer for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU): “The approved 2024 budget for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit includes reductions in staffing and programming across multiple areas. Our health unit, like others in the province, is facing a fixed […]

The Mobile Medical Support Clinic (MMS) is coming soon to Migration Hall at 170 Main Street East in Kingsville. Mobile Medical Support (MMS) will be available on December 2 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and December 3 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. providing a variety of health and […]

November is Radon Action Month. But while the month is almost over, it’s not too late to test your home this winter. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is encouraging  people to test their homes for radon gas during the cold months this year. And the Essex County Library is […]

The fifth annual Nursing Now Ontario Awards (NNOA) is accepting nominations for Ontario-based nurse practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN) and registered practical nurses (RPN) who have demonstrated high professional standards, superior evidence-based and compassionate clinical practice. Nurses across the province in all health sectors and settings provide quality care to individuals […]

The festive season is a time for social gatherings and alcohol often aides the merrymaking. Yet recent headlines advise to avoid alcohol at any time of year. The claim is that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. But the truth about alcohol is more nuanced, and recommendations for […]

Among a group of 30 high-income countries that have universally accessible health care, Canada has some of the lowest availability of doctors, hospital beds, and medical technologies—and the longest wait times, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. “In terms […]

Is it wise to believe what the doctor tells you? Or are there misleading types, not entirely honest with their patients? Does the medical system place the patient’s best interests first, as commonly stated on health center posters? Or do other factors, like pressure to ease wait times for a […]

Mobile Medical Support (MMS) is a community liaison team of healthcare professionals who help clients overcome barriers that prevent them from seeking healthcare and linking into community resources. The mobile clinic runs through the Windsor-Essex Ontario Health Team (WEOHT) and provides various supports including mental health and addiction and dental. […]

The Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA) R.S.O.1990 requires all students in Ontario to be up-to-date on immunizations. Public health units are to maintain and review vaccine records for every student attending school in their region and those not up to date can be suspended from school for up to […]

What a sad way to lose a friend. Not from a heart attack or cancer. Rather, a slip and backwards fall caused a strike of the head on a hard unforgiving surface. The traumatic injury resulted in death a few days later. As Aristotle wrote centuries ago, “To have a […]

Erie Shores HealthCare is excited to announce the expansion of services on Pelee Island, starting November 8th, 2023, and continuing throughout the winter. This development reinforces the hospital’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Pelee Island’s unique and vibrant community. The Windsor-Essex Mobile Medical Support team will be […]

Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital, and their shared service provider TransForm Shared Service Organization were recently the victims of a ransomware attack. Progress has been made in evaluating the affected data and preliminary conclusions show that the attack did not […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit offices will be closed to the public on Friday, November 10 for Remembrance Day. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

When osteoarthritis in the knee is causing you pain, how do you know whether to hang in there and take it or to accept the risks of going under the knife in hopes of bouncing back stronger? It’s not an easy question. Many factors need to be part of the […]

Ten paramedics were formally welcomed to Essex-Windsor EMS during a ceremony at the Essex County Civic Centre on Monday. “Be proud of the work you have done to get this far and know that you are prepared and equipped for the challenges yet to come,” Chief Justin Lammers told them. […]

Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital, and their shared service provider TransForm Shared Service Organization released a statement on Thursday related to the ransomware attack that impacted operations as well as certain patient, employee and professional staff data. They confirm that […]

Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) has been working with IT experts and radiation treatment platform providers on trying to implement a safe and reliable service to operate the radiation machines while we are addressing global IT issues caused by the cyberattack. In the meantime, WRH is working with Ontario Health and […]

Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital, and our shared service provider TransForm Shared Service Organization, can confirm that we are victims of a ransomware attack. Working with leading cybersecurity experts, we have determined through our investigation that, unfortunately, certain patient, employee […]

The Ford Government has announced the approval of annual self-referred breast screening for women ages 40-49, from the current age 50.  An MD requisition will no longer be necessary and will bring this need into line with the standard used by the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). A worrying 17% […]

We find ourselves in the midst of change. During this 100th trip around the sun, it’s finally time for a move to a retirement residence. While the comforts and care of an elegant assisted-living community are welcome, the upheaval is overwhelming! It’s hard to say goodbye to the family home of […]

Lack of consultation with provincial and territorial dental associations is worrying There are only two months left before the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) becomes available to many more Canadians. Yet more than 25,000 dentists nationwide are in the dark about how the Government of Canada will safeguard access to […]

Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services and the County of Essex today (Oct. 23) officially opened a new, stand-alone EMS station in Kingsville designed for current needs and future growth. “Kingsville is growing and so is Essex-Windsor EMS,” Chief Justin Lammers said. “The new station is designed to accommodate our paramedics and […]

COVID Vaccines available by appointment only Call 519-712-8800 to book! Please know the date of your last vaccine prior to calling to book an appointment. Comirnaty XBB (Pfizer) – For Ages 12+ Eligibility: Anyone 12 years of age who is unvaccinated or had a dose more than 6 months ago. Appointments […]

Influenza, or the flu, is on the rise this time of year. That’s because the virus spreads easily when people are indoors in close contact and when the air is less humid and colder. So, it makes sense that International Infection Prevention Week takes place in October. But what doesn’t […]

Prioritizing the safety and security of both patients and healthcare professionals, Windsor Regional Hospital (WRH) is proud to announce the installation of new state-of-the-art technology to detect the presence of weapons in both WRH Emergency Department locations. Hospitals are places of healing, and the security and well-being of every individual—be […]

“The mouth is the door of evil.” So said Euripides, the ancient Greek playwright of tragedy. If he were a modern-day nutritionist, it could be an observation on the very bad stuff people put in their mouths as food. Mother Teresa, however, acknowledged the mouth’s ability to do good. “Kind […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in an adult resident in 2023. While the risk of getting infected in Windsor-Essex County (WEC) is currently low, this positive human case is a reminder for WEC residents to continue to protect […]

Do you know how to properly dispose of old, unwanted or unused medication? Do you know that they shouldn’t be flushed or thrown out? Did you know you that we at Main Street Pharmacy and Wellness Centre are a registered with the Health Products Stewardship Association? That’s right! When cleaning […]

London Health Sciences Centre named a Centre of Excellence with the addition of an innovative women’s healthcare ultrasound fleet  London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has taken a major step forward in advanced imaging and obstetrical patient care with the acquisition of 12 new innovative ultrasound units. This advanced technology will […]

At a breakneck pace, today’s world threatens to leave us gasping for breath. You name it – climate change and pollution, the global demographic explosion, autocratic rulers trampling civil society, or the threat of AI’s unintended consequences. But for all the things where meaningful influence is out of the hands […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed for Thanksgiving on Monday, October 9. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, has rescinded the Boil Water Advisory issued on September 13, 2023 for waterline consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: •    3rd Concession Waterline Association •    3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association •    KOA Waterline Association •    Richardson Sideroad Waterline Association •   […]

The British author and playwright, B.G. Stern, wrote, “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.” It’s apropos to home healthcare workers, who have been acknowledged as essential, but that’s where the appreciation seems to stop. Personal support workers (PSWs) as they are called in Canada, Home Health Aides (HHAs) or […]

Erie Shores Health Foundation Unveils Erie Shores HealthCare’s Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic with Community Supporters On September 13, 2023, Erie Shores HealthCare announced the opening of their Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic in partnership with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. Following the announcement, Erie Shores Health Foundation […]

Our network will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Thursday, October 5 starting at 8 p.m.  All network resources should be restored by 9 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: (519) 258-2146 Facebook: Windsor-Essex County HEALTH UNIT Twitter: @TheWECHU YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Local car enthusiasts put the pedal to the metal in 2023, making a large donation to Windsor Regional Hospital. The Corvette Club of Windsor held their annual waterfront car show this year and raised $26,000 for The Paediatric Oncology Satellite Unit at Metropolitan Campus. “We want to thank the Corvette […]

As of October 1, 2023, pharmacists in Ontario can now prescribe for an additional six minor ailments. This significantly increases access to care for our patients. These minor ailments are medical conditions that you would already commonly come to a pharmacist for an assessment and over-the-counter treatment. You may have […]

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit office will be closed for National Day For Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 29. Website: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Phone: 519-258-2146 Facebook:  Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Instagram: thewechu  Twitter: WEC Health Unit YouTube: Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

The Ontario government is providing $7.2 million to support more acute care and intensive-care unit (ICU) beds for Erie Shores HealthCare. Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones and Essex MPP Anthony Leardi announced $6.1 million in funding for 12 additional acute care beds and $1.1 million for two additional ICU beds. This […]

Flu, RSV and new COVID-19 XBB vaccines will be available to ensure Ontarians are protected this fall Ontario is reminding everyone to stay safe this respiratory illness season and prevent unnecessary visits to the hospital by staying up to date on vaccinations. Ontarians are encouraged to get their flu and […]

Erie Shores HealthCare is pleased to announce the 2023 Excellence in Service Awards winners, celebrating the exceptional dedication and compassionate care provided by our remarkable team. These awards honour individuals who consistently go above and beyond in their roles to provide outstanding care to our patients. Physician of the Year: […]

There’s a Gifford-Jones Law that says, “Never accept radiation you don’t need.” But a dangerous new medical trend is breaking this law. What’s the worry? Across North America, some private clinics are now promoting the promise of early detection of disease to healthy people. In return for a fee, buyers […]

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, reminds consumers that the Boil Water Advisory issued on September 13, 2023 continues. The affected consumers are those for waterline system consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: 3rd Concession Waterline Association 3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association KOA Waterline Association […]

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health, Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has issued a Boil Water Advisory for waterline system consumers serviced by the Wheatley Water Distribution System, specifically: •    3rd Concession Waterline Association •    3rd & 4th Concession Waterline Association •    KOA Waterline Association •    Richardson Sideroad Waterline Association […]

Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) proudly unveils the Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic, a satellite clinic aligned with the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program. This partnership signifies a new era of advanced cancer care within our community. The Oncology and Outpatient Care Clinic will provide crucial chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, […]

We often advise readers not to be foolish – not with your health, money, relationships, or other vital aspects of life. Some risks are unavoidable, like crossing a busy intersection. Yet there’s little sense in choosing a career as a test pilot if you want to live to 100. Now, […]

At a special ceremony on Friday, September 8, 2023, Essex-Windsor EMS celebrated and officially welcomed 88 paramedics hired since early 2020. The paramedics, who were hired in 2020, 2021, 2022 and earlier this year, were formally congratulated as colleagues, members of Essex County Council and family members looked on at […]

Windsor Regional Hospital is introducing a new service aimed at helping support paediatric patients who attend the Emergency Departments during certain time periods to receive more timely care. The Ontario Ministry of Health has provided WRH with funding to launch the Paediatric Emergency Diversion Service (PEDs) through the fall and […]