Elgin Ontario Health Team

12/05/2025

Provincial models show Influenza cases will spike over the holidays.

Protect yourself and loved ones:

✅Get vaccinated (Flu, COVID, RSV if eligible)
✅Wash hands, stay home when sick, mask in crowds
✅Promote healthy habits: eat well, stay active, hydrate, and air out your home

Read more: https://www.swpublichealth.ca/news/posts/take-action-flu-season-projected-to-peak-during-the-holidays/

12/04/2025

On November 12th, we held a media release event to announce new federal funding that will strengthen our local response to opioid-related harms. A recap of the event by Rogers tv can be watched below.

Moments:
➡️ 0:00 - 0:35: Elgin OHT Executive Lead, Deanna, explains where this investment will be used
➡️ 0:36 - 1:21: Brian Elliot, Executive Director of The INN St. Thomas-Elgin speaks to how funding will strengthen The INN as a community service hub, expanding access to mental health, substance use, and addictions services
➡️ 1:22 - 1:56: Dan Bolton, Founder of the Homeless Coalition of St. Thomas, speaks to the struggles being faced in Elgin and how this funding will help the community

12/03/2025

December 3rd is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

This year’s theme, “Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress," is a reminder that true progress happens when everyone can access the care and supports they need.

For us, this means working with members to build services that are welcoming, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of people in our community. We continue to advocate for coordinated, accessible pathways to care that reduce barriers and support people close to home.

As we advance the Neighbourhood Health Home Model, this lens remains central to our work, shaped alongside OHT members who lead important efforts in accessibility, inclusion, and disability-informed practice across Elgin.

12/02/2025

Last week, members of the Elgin OHT joined teams from across Ontario for the Integrated Care Action Summit, a gathering created by OHTs, for OHTs to accelerate integrated and community-driven care.

Key takeaways we’re bringing back to Elgin:
🔹 Strong relationships across partners remain the foundation of real system change.
🔹 OHTs and Primary Care Networks are the critical connection point linking teams, communities, and system transformation.
🔹 When partners commit to shared privacy frameworks and health-information access, great possibilities unfold.
🔹 Success happens when communities design solutions together - small, human-centred steps can have system-wide impact.
🔹 Integrated care is a mindset (way of working), OHT work is not a side-of-the desk project.

We’re energized by the work happening across the province and inspired to continue building an integrated, community-led system of care here in Elgin. 💙

📸 Pictured: Local OHT Leads and Deanna, Elgin OHT Executive Director

12/02/2025

Holiday support is here!
Looking for ways to support families in St. Thomas-Elgin this holiday season? Christmas Care is a community-driven program that has been helping locals with lower incomes since 1980.
⭐ What the program offers:
Food hampers with cereal, cookies, canned goods, apples, potatoes, and turkey or ham for a complete holiday meal.
📅 Registration for families in need until Dec 9 (Mon-Fri, 10 am-4 pm)
📍 Memorial Arena Auditorium, 80 Wilson Ave., St. Thomas
📝 Bring photo ID (for all family members), proof of address & income
✅ Only ONE family member needs to register in person.
💡 How you can help:
• Share this information with families who may benefit
• Donate food, toys, or funds
• Volunteer your time
👉 Learn more: https://christmascarestthomas.com

12/02/2025

The Elgin-St.Thomas Adult Day Program provides a warm, inclusive environment for social connection, physical wellbeing, and mental stimulation.

For more information, contact:
➡️Your Ontario Health at Home Care Coordinator at 519-473-2222
➡️Central Intake: 1-889-866-7527
➡️ADP Client Care Services Coordinator at 519-631-1030 ext.
309

12/01/2025

Community meals are available for those experiencing food insecurity in St.Thomas, Aylmer, and Elgin.

Below is the December calendar provided by Elgin - St. Thomas Food Providers Network, and the November/December calendar provided by The Family Central.

All meals are free unless a price is listed.

11/28/2025

Join VON Middlesex-Elgin for their Candlelight Memorial ceremony.

This non-denominational event aims to honour the loved ones of those in attendance. It is open to anyone who would like to attend. The evening will include live music, guest speakers and a candle-lighting ceremony.

📅 December 16th
📍Holiday Inn in St Thomas
🕒 6:00-7:30pm

No RSVP is required, although a slideshow will feature the names and photos of the loved ones of those in attendance. Those who will be in attendance are encouraged to send any photos they would like shown to Morgan at Morgan.McMillan@von.ca before the event.

11/27/2025

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR GRAND OPENING!
Drop-in Hub Hours:
Wednesday, December 3 from 2-5 PM
15 St Catharine Street, St Thomas, Unit 305

Opening Celebration:
Wednesday, December 3 at 6 PM
53 Hiawatha Street, St Thomas

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Rainbow Connections—an initiative of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario—is officially opening a brand-new drop-in community hub!

The vision of Rainbow Connections is to provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for q***r, questioning, and trans youth. This vibrant new location will serve as a drop-in centre, offering valuable resources, supportive programming, and above all, a place where young people can feel truly seen, respected, and celebrated.

This milestone is more than just opening a door—it’s about opening hearts and creating a community where every young person knows they belong. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to support youth and young adults in St. Thomas and the surrounding communities, ensuring that everyone has a place where they are welcomed, empowered, and free to be themselves.

A HUGE shout out and thank you to United Way, Elgin Middlesex and to Rainbow Optimist for supporting this initiative.

11/26/2025

📣 Free cancer screenings clinics in St. Thomas 📣

Thames Valley Family Health Team is hosting free cancer screening pop-up clinics in St. Thomas. These screenings are available to all residents of St. Thomas and Elgin County whether they have a family doctor or nurse practitioner or not.

The clinics will each offer the following services:

➡️ HPV Tests (Replacement of Pap tests for Cervical Cancer Screening): Onsite testing
➡️ FIT Tests (Colorectal Cancer Screening): Information and requisitions
➡️ Mammograms (Breast Cancer Screening): Information and requisitions

Translation services are available.

📞 Book your appointment by calling 519-473-0530 ext. 2258
Learn more:

Free cancer screening pop-up clinics in St. Thomas for Elgin County residents

11/26/2025

At Christmas Care we work hard to make sure every dollar is put to great use. 99¢ cents of every $1.00 dollar received goes directly back into the community

11/25/2025

Southwestern Public Health and the Elgin Mental Health, Substance Use, and Addiction Coalition are hosting a free training event in St. Thomas for first responders, healthcare providers, and social service staff. Facilitated by CAPSA, this training is focused on reducing stigma around substance use.

This transformative, evidence-based session will help participants uncover biases, understand the impact of stigma, and learn practical, person-first approaches to create more compassionate systems and communities.

📅 Tuesday, December 2, 2025
🕣 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
📍Southwestern Public Health – Elgin Room, 1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas
👥 For first responders, healthcare providers, & social service staff
☕ Free training and refreshments provided

🔗 Register here:

Let's come together to learn, reflect, and take practical steps toward reducing stigma for people who use substances.