To meet an increased demand for COVID-19 testing, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) COVID-19 Assessment Centre will relocate to the St. Clair College HealthPlex, Chatham Campus, located at 1001 Grand Avenue West and will officially welcome patients for testing on Monday, October 5, 2020.
Hospital officials say the new location will facilitate additional capacity for testing as well as patient parking.
To accommodate booked appointments and walk-in testing on Monday, October 5 while the centre moves from its previous location at 47 Emma Street, a mobile clinic will be held by Chatham-Kent EMS and CKHA in the parking lot at the HealthPlex.
For individuals who already have a booked appointment on this day, please attend the mobile clinic where signage will direct upon entry.
CKHA’s Registration department will also follow up with individuals who have booked appointments to notify of the change, hospital officials say.
The mobile clinic is also available for those without an appointment but wait times may vary for all visitors to the mobile clinic.
Hospital officials say they appreciate the public’s patience as we make this change over on Monday.
“Please bring your health card and a list of medications as well as any other information regarding allergies and past medical issues,” CKHA officials said in a media release.
CKHA asks that individuals who require a COVID-19 test to continue using the online booking tool at www.assessmentbooking.ca.
“Individuals who already have a test booked on or after Monday, October 5 are asked to report to the HealthPlex to receive their test,” hospital officials said.
“Walk-in testing will still be available at this location but due to increases in volume, wait times will vary and individuals may be asked to book an appointment or return the following day.”
During the week of October 5-11, the Assessment Centre will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last appointment seen at 4:20 p.m.
Earlier this year, CKHA reached an agreement with St. Clair College to turn the Chatham Campus HealthPlex into the CKHA Field Hospital for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital officials say.
The provincial direction to ready a Field Hospital at the outset of the pandemic ensured CKHA had additional space to accommodate any potential patient surges.
In collaboration with St. Clair College, an agreement to re-utilize this space as a COVID-19 Assessment Centre was made to meet the increased demand in testing that is expected to continue in the coming months.
Space in this facility has been re-designed to ensure a safe and efficient experience for individuals who are attending for COVID-19 testing.
The HealthPlex will also partially remain on standby as an operationally ready Field Hospital should the need arise to accommodate potential patient surges, CKHA officials added.
Reminders for those attending the COVID-19 Assessment Centre:
– Please book an appointment online at www.assessmentbooking.ca.
– For those who do not have access to technology, an appointment can be booked by calling CKHA’s Registration at 519.352.6400 ext. 6548 between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. After hours and on weekends, patients can call CKHA’s Switchboard at 519-352-6400 ext. 6584.
– Please bring your health card with you when attending your appointment.
– Please bring a list of medications and any other information regarding allergies and past medical issues.
– If you arrive after the Assessment Centre closes, please do NOT present to the Emergency Department. Return home to self-isolate and come back to the assessment centre in the morning.
