This photo is intended to provide a visual with two scenarios and help convey the nuanced concept of equality and equity. The implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for people with accessibility needs. In our illustration, the first image shows three individuals with evenly distributed stools and their access to healthcare remains unequal. The equitable solution, however, allocates the resources that each person needs to access healthcare, leading to positive outcomes for all individuals.

Creating an accessible environment for all.

At Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), we believe in health equity. We will meet the needs of people with disabilities by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility, in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

If you need help during your visit, tell a member of your healthcare team. They will connect you with the resources you need.

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Click on the headings below to see the accessibility supports available at PRHC.

Portable Pocket Talkers are available for patients who are deaf, or hard-of-hearing. Pocket talkers can be requested through a member of your healthcare team.

Clear (windowed) surgical medical masks: Standard medical masks can prevent our ability to see facial expressions and visual cues, lip-read, and fully communicate. The potential for miscommunication is especially compounded in deaf and hard of hearing people, children, and older people when standard facemasks are used. 

Audio clocks: Large button clocks that you can push, and audio tells you what time it is. 

TTY Phone: A TTY (teletypewriter) is a communication device used by people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have severe speech impairment. Located in the Main Entrance pay phone. 

Medical Interpreter Services are available by phone 24/7 in more than 200 languages. Ask a member of your healthcare team if you require a medical interpreter.​​​​​​​

Jump Seats are fold down chairs mounted on the wall of busy areas of the hospital to offer a place to rest if when you’re traveling from one area of the Health Centre to another. They sit flush to the wall and flip down to 90 degrees. JumpSeats can hold up to 600lbs and there are currently 15 JumpSeats located around PRHC.

Wheelchair access: Accessible entrances and exits at the Health Centre are located at:

  • Main hospital entrance (Level 4)
  • Emergency Department entrance (Level 3, north side of hospital)
  • North entrance (Level 2, off Hospital Drive)
  • South entrance (Level 2, off Alexander Avenue)

Wheelchairs for patients and visitors who need them are available at the following locations:

  • Diagnostic Imaging (Level 3)
  • Main hospital entrance (Level 4)

Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available throughout the hospital. The hospital cafeteria, Tim Hortons, and Multifaith Centre are all accessible by wheelchair.

Accessible Elevators: all elevators at PRHC are equipped with braille buttons.

Cheater magnifying glasses, also known as “readers,” are available. Please ask a member of your healthcare team.

Epic Capabilities: After visit summaries from your patient record can be printed in larger font. Please ask a member of your healthcare team. 

TALK NOW Mental Health & Addictions Virtual Clinic: Offers services to all ages. If you need help with a mental health and/or addictions concern, please call 705-876-5826 to be connected with a mental health professional. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Appointments are available both in-person and virtually.

RAAM Clinic: RAAM stands for Rapid Access Addiction Medicine. These types of clinics are found throughout Ontario. There is one currently in Peterborough. RAAM clinics offer quick access to medications for substance use as well as long term support for addictions, including counselling services. Click here for more information.

Hospital to Home: Located at PRHC, the Hospital to Home Program (H2H) is a collaboration between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge’s Four County Crisis Program, Four Counties Addiction Services (FourCast) and PRHC. The H2H Program connects individuals who present with mental health and/or addictions issues at PRHC to community supports and services. The goal is to provide individuals with the information, education, resources and the planning needed to manage in the community, thus decreasing the frequency of visits to the hospital.

211 Ontario: 211 is a helpline that easily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need. Dial 2-1-1 to call the helpline to speak with a Community Navigator 24/7 or visit online at www.211.ontario.ca.

988 Canada: Canada’s suicide prevention number. If you are thinking about suicide, or worried about someone you know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgment. Support is available 24/7 in English or French. For more information, visit https://988.ca.

PASE: Psychiatric Assessment Services for the Elderly (PASE) is a program that offers geriatric mental health assessment, consultation and education services. Click here for more information.

Substance Use Nurse Practitioner: A substance abuse nurse practitioner specializes in the treatment of patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or other substances.

Consult Liaison (CL) Psychiatric Service

Connex Ontario: provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling. Contact: https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/

GAIN: The Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Network (GAIN) clinic is part of a network of coordinated healthcare services that provides clinical care and education to ensure the best care for frail older adults and their families. Click here for more information.

​​​​​​​HELP: The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is an innovative delirium-prevention program designed to improve the hospital experience of older patients. Click here for more information. 

Geriatric Consult Liaison Service: is a specialized intensive, interprofessional clinical service that provides patient and family-centred comprehensive geriatric assessment and treatment recommendations for older adult patients admitted to the hospital for treatment of medical or surgical illness. This requires a doctor’s order.

Learning disabilities affect one or more of the ways that a person takes in, stores, or uses information. Learning disabilities come in many forms and affect people with varying levels of severity. Between five (5) and 10 percent of Canadians have learning disabilities. Please ask you healthcare provider for support in a way that meets your needs. For example: if you need bigger text, information in point form, or for them to speak slower.

Your service animal is welcome to come with you to your appointments. If you are admitted to the hospital (e.g. surgery), please inform your healthcare team in advance and ensure you make arrangements for your service animal to be looked after.

Pet Visiting at PRHC: In support of providing high quality patient care, PRHC has established guidelines for pet visiting. PRHC restricts pet visiting to dogs. These guidelines aim to balance the environmental and safety considerations with a focus on enhancing the emotional and psychosocial well-being of patients. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.

PRHC is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should any applicant require accommodation through the application, interview or selection processes, please contact the Human Resources Department at 705-743-2121 x. 3716 or at askHR@prhc.on.ca

The Health Centre is committed to providing accessible information and communication and recognizes that persons with disabilities may require information in accessible formats. If you require correspondence, reports and/or other PRHC documents in an accessible format, please contact Patient Relations by email at patientr@prhc.on.ca. When emailing your request, please include the following information:

  • Your full name
  • Email address
  • Mailing address
  • Telephone number
  • Name of required document
  • Format requested, including large print, hard copy, email, digital, braille translate. For digital or video requests, please indicate close captioning.
  • Date information is required

About our multi-year accessibility plan

PRHC is committed to ensuring that staff, physicians, volunteers, visitors and patients have access to services in ways that respect an individual’s independence and dignity.

This 2023-2028 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. Making our information, programs and services accessible to all patients, visitors and staff is our legal responsibility and our ethical obligation as healthcare professionals. Our goal is to ensure we are in compliance with all required legislation, and where possible, ensure we exceed those requirements.

If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility at PRHC, contact our Patient Relations department at 705-743-2121 x. 3674 or email: patientr@prhc.on.ca.