Hospital patients get free phone calls

Thanks for SARS, patients at Sault Area Hospital will now get free telephone service for local outside calls.

The following update was issued by by the hospital at 4:22 p.m. today.

***************************************************************** SARS Update #3

SAH offers complimentary local calls for patients

April 9, 2003 - In light of the provincial SARS directives and visitor restrictions, SAH is providing patients with complimentary telephone service for local outside calls.

"We want to make our patients' stay as comfortable as possible in light of the visitor restrictions that are currently in place," says Brady Irwin, vice president of public affairs.

"This service will help our patients keep in contact with their loved ones during this difficult time."

As an added convenience, SAH has also set up a direct patient telephone line.

Family and friends can reach their loved ones by calling 759-3700 and entering the patient's extension number.

In an effort to alleviate the volume of calls to the SAH switchboard, the hospital is also urging area residents to forward their general inquiries about SARS to the Algoma Health Unit at 759-5287 or to visit one of the following websites online:

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care at www.health.gov.on.ca Health Canada online at www.hc.sc.gc.ca World Health Organization at www.who.int

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov

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