OHT Message to the Community
(December 2, 2022)

November 30, 2022

Dear Niagara community members,

Our community has been through a lot in the past few years. It is now facing a triple threat of the flu (influenza), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19, which is making many residents sick ? especially children. The current situation is putting a strain on our health care system in Niagara and across Ontario.

Everyone can be assured that, most of the time, these illnesses can be safely managed at home, and symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications, for example, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. As a first option, people having trouble accessing over-the-counter medicine should call their primary care provider if they have one or speak to a pharmacist for advice.

Parents and guardians know their children best and should reach out to a primary care provider or visit a walk-in clinic if they have concerns. Local health care providers currently have higher numbers of patient calls and visits than usual. For non-urgent visits, wait times may be longer.

While emergency departments are currently facing capacity issues, in some cases, it is the only place to get the appropriate care. If you or your child are experiencing any of the following, go to the closest emergency department or call 9-1-1:
• You or your child are seriously ill
• You have a baby who is younger than three months old who has a fever
• You or your child is struggling to breathe or is at risk of dehydration

You can learn about your health care options through Niagara Health’s Know Your Options resource or seek out urgent online medical care services through UrgentCareOntario.ca. More information on symptoms and advice for next steps can be found through Health Connect
Ontario’s assessment tool.

We know the pandemic has impacted everyone, and we’re grateful for everything people have done to protect those around them. However, now is not the time to stop. Niagara is filled with amazing people who have shown great care, compassion, and resilience. We need your help to
keep our community as safe and healthy as possible as we navigate these ongoing challenges.

Please, if possible, get up to date with your vaccinations, wear a mask and stay home when you’re sick. Together, we can get through this.

Thank you,

Niagara Ontario Health Team-Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara

12 Days of Mindfulness
(November 28, 2022)

Mindfulness is paying attention deliberately and non-judgmentally to each moment of your life. Long term studies show how practicing mindfulness can help decrease anxiety, depression and burnout.

To kick off this holiday season we have prepared a mindfulness resource platform. We are excited to invite you to participate in our 12 Days of Mindfulness.

Consider this our gift to YOU!  It is an opportunity for reflective reminders to help you find more balance and to learn strategies to support you to be able to show up as the BEST version of yourself this coming holiday season. 
 
Who wouldn’t want to bring more presence to their presents!?

Follow us on Facebook for daily tips starting December 1st, or visit our webpage for more info: Mindfulness for the Holidays

Caring for a Respiratory Illness for Adults and Children
(November 15, 2022)

Dear patients,

We are seeing a spike in respiratory illness, especially in children, and receiving a high volume of calls for appointments. Please see the information below to help you understand what you can do at home, when you should call our office, and when you need to go to the emergency room.

What you can do at home

Most people with respiratory symptoms – whether from flu, COVID, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), or other infections – will recover on their own and do not require prescription medication. We recommend patients self-isolate and rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics (as needed) for headaches or muscle aches until they are better.

When to call our office

• There are special considerations for respiratory illness in children. Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms is a resource which answers many common questions – including when to call the doctor’s office.
• If you or your child are at higher risk for complications from respiratory illnesses, please call our office right away so we can determine whether you need to be seen and should be prescribed treatment.
• You may be offered a virtual appointment if it is appropriate for you. This is one way we can determine if you need to be seen in person.

When to go to the emergency room

Emergency rooms are currently facing capacity issues. However, in some cases, it is the only place to get the right care. Use this guidance to help determine if you or your child need to visit an ER.

Wear a mask

Please be reminded that masking is required in our clinic – masking reduces the spread of viruses and protects others, including our patients who have cancer, are elderly or are especially vulnerable for other reasons. Please bring your mask to your appointment and wear it throughout your visit, including when you are alone in an exam room.

**********

Our office (like most clinics at present) is handling much higher numbers of patient calls and visits than usual, including care “backlogs” from the pandemic. For some routine, non-urgent care (e.g. well child visits not associated with immunization, follow up for chronic disease that is stable), wait times for your appointment may be longer – we appreciate that you continue to be patient with us as we work hard to help you.

 

We are always here for you and will ensure you get the care you need, when you need it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions re: Dr. Min Departure
(October 31, 2022)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Dr Min’s Departure

 

When is Dr Min leaving? 

• Her last day is Dec 18, 2022. Patients have been notified either by email, or by letter for those who did not provide an email address.

Is Dr Min leaving for good? 

• Yes. She is not coming back or setting up a new office anywhere else.

Is Dr Carle leaving too? 

• No.

Will any of the other doctors take me as a patient? 

• None of the other doctors are taking new patients.

Is there someone taking over Dr Min’s practice? 

• No. If we find somebody, we will send out another mass email/letter ASAP. We will also be posting the latest updates on our website (https://wellandmcmasterfht.com/) and Facebook page.

What about my prescriptions? 

• Please call your pharmacy and ask them to send us a prescription renewal request. Dr Min will renew all your meds for 1 year. Do not book appointments for prescription renewals. There is no fee for these renewals.

What about my test results? 

• The other doctors will keep an eye out for test results that come in after Dr Min leaves. If there is anything abnormal, they will arrange follow-up for you.

What about my medical records? 

• Your electronic medical records will be stored at the office for a minimum of 10 years. You can call at any time (even after Dec 18) to request a copy or transfer to a new doctor’s office. There may be a fee depending on the type and length of records required.

What if I’m sick and need to be seen? 

• Before Dec 18, 2022, you can still call and request a same-day appointment with our nurse practitioner or the after hours clinic for urgent medical issues. After Dec 18, 2022, you will no longer be a patient at this office and will be unable to access the family health team’s services.

How do I find a new family doctor? 

• Niagara Region keeps a list of family doctors accepting new patients in this area (https://www.niagararegion.ca/health/find-a-doctor.aspx). After Dec 18, you can also sign up at Health Care Connect (https://hcc3.hcc.moh.gov.on.ca/HCCWeb/faces/layoutHCCHomePage.xhtml) which is a registry of patients with no family doctor who are given priority at many new offices.

• Dr. B. Mikhail is currently taking new patients. His practice address is 188 East Main St, Welland, and his phone number is 905-714-9364. Interested patients can go to their office with their Healthcard and a list of medications to fill out the application form.

• Dr. Bassey and Dr. Adebayo are accepting new patients. Their practice address is 9 Court St., St. Catharines, and their phone number is 905-682-2709.

Health Care Connect says I have to be "derostered" before I can apply to that service. What does this mean?

• All of Dr. Min's patients will be automatically derostered by the Ministry of Health as of December 18, 2022. If you want to sign up for Health Care Connect BEFORE December 18th, you will need to call our office and let us know so that we can deroster you. If you decide to do this, please know that you will no longer have access to our After Hours Clinic or Family Health Team services (NP, RN, SW, etc.) and any upcoming appointments will be cancelled. If Dr. Min is able to find a replacement physician, your chart will no longer be active and you will not be automatically transferred to that new doctor. 

If my baby/child will be due for immunizations after Dec 18, where can we receive them?

Walk-in Clinics can provide immunizations, but we suggest calling first so they can prepare what you need. Niagara Region Public Health also holds vaccination clinics, by appointment. Call 905-688-8248 ext. 7425, Monday to Friday 9:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m to book.