There are many circumstances where a telehealth appointment by video or phone remains the safest (and most convenient) option for managing medical issues. However because the rate of community transmission is quite low at this time, the Medical Officer of Health has allowed us to move to Phase II of re-opening and gradually increase the number of people we see face-to-face in the office.
When you phone, our staff will ask you the reason for your appointment and help you to determine the most appropriate way to connect with your physician. We will continue to offer virtual or phone visits as a first option, but some in-person visits are available if a physical exam or hands on procedure is needed. Sometimes we will start with a video visit for the talking part of the assessment to allow the subsequent time spent in the office for the required physical exam, procedures or vaccines to be brief (for example for a well baby exam or driver’s medical). Call before attending the office-we do not accept any walk in appointments at this time.
We are working to stagger the in person appointments in the office to avoid patients coming in contact with each other or having to wait in the waiting room.
If you are given an in-person appointment please review the following steps for safe appointments:
- In advance of your appointment make sure you have emailed the office any forms that need to be completed and let our staff know your preferred pharmacy
- Do NOT come to the office if you become ill without first calling to review your symptoms with our staff. If you have a fever, chills, cough, cold symptoms, loss of sense of taste or smell, other symptoms of Covid 19 or a contact with someone who has Covid 19 call our office for further instructions. Purposefully failing to disclose possible symptoms of Covid 19 before entering the office can result in immediate dismissal from the practice as this puts our other patients, staff and physicians all at risk.
- Please wait outside the building or in your car until the time of your appointment. Do not come early as we are trying to avoid having people sit in the waiting room.
- Maintain physical distancing while in the waiting room-give others a 2 metre bubble and stay behind the lines at the front desk (Max occupancy of waiting room is 3 people)
- Please use the hand sanitizer on the front desk at the time of your arrival
- Do not bring extra people to your appointment. (Exceptions are made for young children or those who need extra care or translation)
- Please wear a mask to the office. (Do not wear gloves)