Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Services
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit supports individuals and families. We do this by offering a variety of programs and services:
Health Connection is our phone and online information service. It is staffed by public health professionals who can answer your health-related questions and connect you with programs and services. They can:
| Answer questions you have about:
· pregnancy · breastfeeding and nutrition for your child and family · child behaviour and parenting your child · common illnesses and infections · immunizations · well water testing, and more.
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Connect you with:
· prenatal classes and programs to support parents · quit smoking workshops · immunization clinics · sexual health services · inspectors for safe food and water, and more.
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The Gravenhurst Clinic located at 5 Pineridge Gate provides dental services by appointment. We provide emergency, essential and preventive dental care to eligible children, adults and seniors based on services covered under publicly funded dental programs.
We offer dental screenings for children aged 0-17 who may have dental concerns.
Individuals with dental emergencies (e.g., pain, infection), who have coverage through publicly funded dental programs (i.e., Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients, Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) and Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO)) should contact the clinic to book an appointment or screening at 1-877-721-7520, ext. 8818.
Is there a baby in your future? Your health before you become pregnant and during your pregnancy is very important. There is a range of health before pregnancy topics that may be of interest to you and your partner.
SMDHU currently offers FREE online prenatal classes:
- Choose the information that interests you such as:
- information to support a healthy pregnancy,
- your baby’s growth and development,
- labour and birth and
- after baby is born (breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum).
- Learn at your own pace.
- Learn when and where you are most comfortable.
This free group provides parents a place to talk, share experiences and encourage each other. Public health nurses offer support and answer your questions about feeding your baby, baby care, infant sleep, developmental stages, and parenting.
Join us online from the comfort of your home every Wednesday from either 10:30 am – noon or 1 – 2:30 pm.
Healthy eating is important for children’s growth and overall health. Parents can be good role models for children by providing and enjoying a variety of colourful vegetables and fruits, as well as whole grains and protein rich foods. Parents can also help children thrive by making a habit of sitting down, at regular times each day, to eat home-cooked food and enjoy time together as a family.
Resources and support are available to help you in feeding your infant, toddler, or school age child.
The Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program helps children get a healthy start in life. HBHC is a voluntary program that provides supports and services to eligible persons during pregnancy and to families with children from birth to school entry.
Public health nurses and family home visitors work together, with you, to provide:
- Information, education and resources.
- Early identification and support for healthy child growth and development.
- Support for positive parenting and parent-child relationships.
- Recommendations and referrals to community resources.
Raising healthy, happy, and well-adjusted children is rewarding, but it does have challenging moments. Providing a loving, consistent, and positive relationship with your child helps them to develop trust with you.
Healthy Schools
The School Health program promotes optimal health, developmental potential and learning among school-aged children and youth in Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka. Our staff work in close collaboration with local school board partners, school staff and administrators, students, families, and community partners to make school communities a healthy place for all.
Immunization impacts individuals, families, and our communities, as well as global health. Immunization prevents disease, saves lives and reduces health care spending.
The health unit works to prevent the spread of disease through the promotion of, and access to immunization in our communities.
It’s important for you to know that vaccines are safe and effective. Immunization is a proven way to prevent the spread of disease and save lives. That’s why staying up-to-date with your immunizations is critical to everyone – not just children. Once your immunization is up-to-date, update your records too here.
Public health inspectors check a variety of businesses in Simcoe and Muskoka to ensure they are meeting public health requirements. To help you make informed decisions about which businesses you may want to visit, the inspection results are made available online.
The best way to protect yourself and your family from rabies is to have your indoor and outdoor pets vaccinated and avoid contact with wild animals, stray dogs and cats.
Sexual Health
Sex and sexuality are important aspects of our health. This includes being comfortable with individual sexuality, making decisions such as whether or not to have sex, how to protect yourself against sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, and planning for pregnancy at a time that is right for you.
The health unit promotes healthy sexuality and works to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections and blood borne infections. We offer clinic services to anyone seeking testing and/or treatment for sexually transmitted and blood borne infections, birth control information and/or low cost birth control, free condoms as well as pregnancy testing and options counselling. We offer services that are confidential and inclusive of all genders and orientations.