March 23, 2020
We would like to assure you that we are monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely and are working to ensure the health and well-being of our community, clients and staff.
In response to Public Health recommendations, two of the Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS) sites are closed for programs and services and the Smiths Falls and Merrickville sites remain open.
RCHS continues to see our most vulnerable clients. We have enhanced the use of phone communication and technology while still enabling face-to-face visits for those that require them.
Before you come to any RCHS site, please call our office 613- 283-1952 so we can best determine how to support you.
We have reduced our hours of operation and implemented minimal staff on a rotating basis for social distancing, to keep our staff healthy, participate in other community initiatives and to support our local hospitals. Our other staff work at home and are also on call.
Our Pandemic Team is meeting daily to continue to develop our response to the evolving situation and to incorporate any new information or recommendations.
Please check our website for updates. www.RideauCHS.ca
Events
In keeping with public health recommendations and exercising additional caution, RCHS is postponing all public events currently scheduled. Stay tuned for further announcements.
Practice Self-Care
In the midst of a stressful season or situation, many self-care practices are the same ones that prove helpful in everyday living:
- Recognizing social distancing, connect with family & friends phone calls, face timing, schedule a virtual coffee, etc.
- Maintain your normal routines as much as possible
- Eat well and stay active
- Get adequate rest
- Do enjoyable activities
Looking to Help?
We remain committed to serving our neighbourhoods and as always, we rely on community support to make this happen.
While we are not currently accepting in-person donations, we are accepting donations electronically:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Your support is appreciated and will be directed to the areas of most need.
RCHS funding is provided by Ontario Health - East Region, the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and by the communities and people we serve.
Important Letter to Our Clients
March 16, 2020
Dear Client(s):
Due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, we will be making temporary changes in the way we deliver your care. Our goal is to minimize potential exposure to as many as possible while freeing up resources to attend to those who require urgent care.
As of Monday March 16, 2020 we will no longer be booking routine appointments. If you have a booked appointment, we will be calling you to postpone it or amend this appointment.
Examples of routine appointments include:
Periodic health visits, annual physicals, PAP tests and clinics, Well Baby Checkups (where an immunization is NOT required), blood work, chiropody and foot care appointments as examples.
Additionally we will be reviewing our schedules. Those that can be accomplished safely by phone or virtual visit (your providers will speak with you about this) will be booked as such. Visits that are of a more urgent nature and require an in-person visit will still be booked.
All group visits will be postponed until further notice.
Examples of Group visits:
medical visits for diabetes, COPD group education and all community group programs.
Our Perth and Brockville sites will be closed as of Tuesday March 17th, 2020. If you need to speak with us please call:
Perth office:
If you need to reach a staff member from Rideau Community Health Services please call: 613-264-1576
Brockville office:
If you need to reach a staff member from Rideau Community Health Services please call: 613-498-1555.
In order to help reduce the spread of the virus-we ask for your help. If you have respiratory symptoms, cough fever, difficulty breathing we ask that you stay home and call our office 613-283-1952 or public health:
Lanark Leeds Grenville Public Health Unit: 1-800-660-5853
If you are running out of medication please ask the pharmacy to fax the renewal request to the community health centre.
Please check our website for future announcements:
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this. These changes will be regularly assessed and are in place until further notice.
Kind Regards,
Michele Bellows
Chief Executive Officer
Rideau Community Health Services
354 Read Street, PO Box 550
Merrickville, ON K0G 1N0
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 613-269-3400 ext. 224
For a pdf version of this letter, please click here
COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Updates from the Medical Officer of Health for Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. Learn more...
Click Here 
Ontario Senior Dental Care Program (OSDCP)
Rideau Community Health Services is pleased to be a partner Community Health Center in the Ontario Senior Dental Care Program (OSDCP), the new publically funded dental program for low-income seniors. Click here for more information.
Physician Posting
Click here for the PDF version of this poster
Click here to read the job ad on our website
Other RCHS Programs
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Literacy Board
354 Read Street