Peterborough, ON – Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) is expanding the eligibility criteria for its successful Streamlined Treatment and Evaluation Pathway (STEP) in the Emergency Department – just in time for summer.

Beginning July 1, 2026, STEP will see patients for common summer ailments like bug bites and rashes, as well as other minor illnesses and injuries.

Since the program launched in January 2026, more than 1300 community members have been cared for through STEP, which has patients pre-screen through an online survey for minor illnesses and injuries before arriving at the Emergency Department (ED). Once they arrive at the hospital, STEP-eligible patients are seen by a dedicated physician.

Before coming to the hospital, patients must complete the survey and receive an email confirming their eligibility for STEP: https://redcap.link/PRHC_STEP.

The expanded list of conditions that will be accepted through STEP as of July 1 includes:

  • Respiratory symptoms (cough, nasal or sinus congestion, sore throat, or ear pain)
  • Minor limb injuries
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Return – Stich and staple removal *NEW*
  • Return – Next-day limb ultrasound *NEW*
  • Return – IV antibiotics *NEW*
  • Dental pain assessment (if unable to see a dentist) *NEW*
  • Tetanus booster *NEW*
  • Rabies follow-up booster *NEW*
  • Rash or skin irritation (such as poison ivy or bug bites) *NEW*
  • Sexually transmitted infection assessment and treatment *NEW*
  • Wound assessment and dressing/packing change *NEW*
  • Acute back pain (non-chronic and not from recent trauma) *NEW*

“With the summer months upon us, the ED expects to see an increase in minor illnesses and ailments, so this is the ideal time to expand STEP criteria to include additional patient conditions,” says Jessica Jackson, Director, Emergency, Critical Care, Respiratory Services and Trauma at PRHC. “We’re so proud of the incredible work being done by this team to improve the ways our patients access care through the ED, which supports us in continuing to provide the best possible care and experience for everyone.”

A dedicated STEP physician is available to see patients with minor illnesses and injuries from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis based on eligibility as determined by the survey and triage.

PRHC’s ED sees more than 75,000 visits annually – a new patient arrives in the Emergency Department every seven minutes. Pressures on the Emergency Department have continued to grow over the last decade, with rising demand for emergency services outpacing capacity as patient volumes, complexity and acuity have intensified.

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  • With 500 inpatient beds, PRHC is a regional acute care referral centre serving one of the fastest-growing and aging populations in Canada across a broad urban and rural geography extending north to Haliburton, south to Northumberland, east to Quinte, and west to Durham.
  • Our 2024-2029 Strategic Plan highlights our commitment to provide timely and excellent care. Learn more about PRHC’s strategic plan here.
  • PRHC is working to meet the growing demand for care in our community and region. With the support of generous donors through the PRHC Foundation, we aim to empower world-class care, closer to home; fuel innovation and bring new, life-saving services to our region; attract the best and brightest healthcare professionals; and find solutions to critical hospital challenges. Find out more about the Campaign for PRHC here: ca/an-update-on-the-progress-of-the-70-million-campaign-for-prhc/

For more information: Michelene Ough | Director, Communications | mough@prhc.on.ca