Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) has added to its growing portfolio of diagnostics programs, partnering with Lakeridge Health to bring the Ontario Lung Screening Program (OLSP) to the Haliburton hospital.
The initiative is aimed for seniors between the age of 55 and 80 who have smoked cigarettes or other tobacco products, such as cigars and pipes, every day for at least 20 years and have coverage through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Gail Kennedy, integrated director of diagnostic imaging at HHHS and Lindsay’s Ross Memorial Hospital, said the Haliburton site was approved this week.
“Bringing the OLPS to HHHS will improve access to early lung cancer detection for a rural, high-risk population. It will reduce the need for patients to travel to larger centres, support earlier diagnosis and better outcomes, and promote more equitable access to preventive care,” Kennedy said.
The screenings will be done using the new CT device HHHS purchased in 2024. Kennedy estimates 50 to 75 patients will be seen through the rest of 2026, with capacity to expand as needed in future years.
Lakeridge Health in Oshawa is the hub site for the OLPS. Kennedy said a staffer from that hospital completes a risk assessment with the patient, explains the process, books the CT and schedules follow-up appointments. The tests will be conducted by HHHS’ existing medical radiation technologist team.
She said people can be referred to the program by their family doctor or call 1-866-338-1778 ext. 34449 themselves to check if they’re eligible.
“Not everyone who is referred will be eligible. The risk assessment with the navigator [at Lakeridge Health] will confirm who is eligible for screening,” Kennedy said. “The risk assessment asks about personal health history, family history of lung cancer, as well as other questions [about] education, smoking history etc.”
Asked about how long people can expect to wait between referral, assessment and testing, Kennedy said that will be volume dependent and managed by staff in Oshawa.
Appointments will be scheduled Monday to Friday at 3:30 p.m., with Kennedy saying additional timeslots can be made available as demand increases. To learn more about the program, visit checkforlungcancer.ca.
Mammography services expanded
A little over a year after bringing mammography services to Haliburton, HHHS announced last week testing is now open for bookings through the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP). Before, mammograms were referral only.
The first test was carried out Feb. 18, 2025 – two weeks after the delivery of the $800,000 mammography device. HHHS received accreditation through the Canadian Association of Radiologists in August and was approved into the OBSP in March. Testing began April 27.
Kennedy said the program is for patients between the ages of 40 and 74 with no signs, symptoms or history of breast cancer. She said the OBSP staff track results and provide reminders for future appointments.
Initial screening is done in Haliburton, but if follow-up imaging is required via ultrasound or breast assessment, patients will be referred to Ross or the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Bookings can be made by patients directly by calling 705-457-1392 ext. 2381 or by visiting hhhs.ca/hospital/mychart. “Openings are somewhat limited right now but should be opening more in the near future,” Kennedy said.
