This community phone line is staffed by SMHC medical professionals who can answer questions and connect people to appropriate resources.
Southern Maine Health Care launched a community phone line to answer questions about the COVID-19 pandemic. The community can call (866) 722-5165 7 days a week, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All calls will be answered by medical professionals who can connect callers with the appropriate medical or community resources. When appropriate, callers will be connected to SMHC clinicians to assess symptoms, instruct on how to self-monitor at home or determine the need for testing.
“We are responding to clear community need for more information and guidance during this pandemic,” said Nathan Howell, SMHC President. “Our hospitals and physician practices have been receiving hundreds of calls a day and this centralized phone line will help answer questions quickly, provide direction and connect people to the best resources.”
People who have a primary care doctor at Southern Maine Health Care should call their doctor’s office directly with questions or concerns.
The most important thing people can do is to follow the CDC’s guidelines for slowing the spread of the coronavirus: Maintain social distancing, stay at home as much as possible, practice good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home full time when you have symptoms.
Visit https://mainehealth.org/healthy-communities/coronavirus for more resources and information.
About Southern Maine Health Care
Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) is a national award-winning healthcare organization with a non-profit mission “to improve the health and health care of the communities we serve.” SMHC includes a full service, acute care medical center in Biddeford, with York County’s only inpatient mental health unit. Emergency care, surgical services and diagnostic and therapy services are available at SMHC’s Medical Centers in Biddeford and Sanford. SMHC offers primary care and multi-specialty physician services, diagnostic and therapy services and Walk-In Care centers in York County communities including Biddeford, Kennebunk, Saco, Sanford and Waterboro. SMHC is Joint Commission accredited and has been recognized for quality excellence by numerous outside organizations. SMHC is part of the MaineHealth system, a growing family of health care services in northern New England. To learn more, visit smhc.org.
Media Contact
Allison Kenty
207-283-7233
allison.kenty@mainehealth.org