Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Urgent: Supervised injection services suspended until further notice
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Update:

Consumption and Treatment Services are suspended until further notice.

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To the Somerset West Community,

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During the week of February 26 there were two instances where staff became unwell while working in our Consumption and Treatment Service (CTS). We have had to temporarily close our CTS until we can address this issue and safely reopen. All staff have recovered and are fine. The health and safety of our clients, staff members and community has always been and will always be our top priority. 

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SWCHC reached out to the Ministries of Labour and Health, and Ottawa Public Health to inform and seek guidance. We are working with all three to find solutions.

We are acutely aware of the impact this situation is having on clients and our community, and are working hard to minimize any disruptions. We continue to re-deploy CTS staff to do outreach and overdose response both in the immediate area of the CTS and in the broader neighbourhood. 

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All Harm Reduction services other than the CTS remain open to support clients, including:

  • Drug Overdose and Response Outreach Team

  • Crisis Outreach Team

  • Needle Exchange and Safe Inhalation Program

  • Distribution of harm reduction gear and meals in our courtyard

  • Shower program

  • Safe Supply and Opioid Agonist Treatment services

 

All other SWCHC programs and services remain open and are not impacted.

 

We will provide updates on next steps as quickly as they become available. 

  • If you see someone within the Somerset West or Centretown area in distress or require assistance with needle cleanup or related issues, please contact our crisis outreach team: 613-447-0029. They are available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

  • Community members, please direct any inquiries to info@swchc.on.ca. 

  • Media, please direct any questions to communications@swchc.on.ca. 

 

We understand this will be a challenging time and want to assure you that we are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of everyone on site, while also seeing how quickly we can fully reopen our CTS.

 

Thank you for your understanding,

Your team at the Somerset West Community Health Centre

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