COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic expands to provide care to paediatric patients

Image of health care worker wearing a mask

January 10, 2023

As of Wednesday, January 11, 2023, the COVID, Cold and Flu Care Clinic (CCFCC) at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) will accept paediatric patients on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 – 8 p.m., to ease Emergency Department (ED) pressures and provide alternative accessible care for the community. 

In collaboration with the Middlesex London Ontario Health Team, the CCFCC has expanded to include assessment, testing and treatment for paediatric patients with symptoms of COVID, cold and flu, including:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough (not related to other causes such as allergies)
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Muscle aches or joint pain
  • Decreased or loss of taste or smell
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as vomiting or diarrhea)
  • Runny nose or nasal congestion
  • Abdominal pain (not related to other causes)
  • Headache
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Sore throat
  • Pink eye (not related to other causes)

“The last few months Children’s Hospital saw an unprecedented surge in respiratory viruses, which resulted in increased Emergency Department wait times,” said Deborah Wiseman, President, Victoria Hospital. “It’s always been our goal to expand services at the CCFCC to meet the needs of paediatric patients in the community and help offset the pressures our Children’s Hospital staff and physicians are facing. At this time, appointments for individuals under the age of 18 are available on Mondays and Wednesdays only, however, we’re continuously assessing community needs and will adjust operations accordingly.” 

Consider making an appointment with the CCFCC if:

  • Your child does not have a primary care provider
  • Your child’s symptoms are getting worse and are not improving, and you feel they need medical care
  • You have been told by a health professional to bring your child to the CCFCC
  • Your child is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 and they qualify for testing and treatment

The services provided at the clinic include COVID-19 assessment and PCR testing; cold and flu assessment; and medical guidance by a health care team which could include triaging or next steps to patient care. 

When possible, your primary care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) should be the first option when seeking medical care. If you are connecting with your primary care provider by phone or video, they may recommend you visit the CCFCC for testing, assessment, and/or treatment.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency, should go to the nearest ED or call 911.  

Located at Victoria Hospital, 800 Commissioners Rd, E, in Building 24 the clinic is open for paediatric patients on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and appointments must be made in advance online or by calling 519-685-8500 ext. 75503. Adult clinic hours remain the same; open seven days a week, 9:20 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

More information about the CCFCC is available online