Covid19 Update Apr 22,2020

    Lock down and isolation orders have been extended till mid May.  The medical system is awaiting an onslaught of serious cases that I sincerely hope dont materialize.

I have redeployed to hospital responsibilies in the surgical division if  needed.  We continue to monitor and deal with urgent problems by phone and other means.

Most of my specialty colleagues are doing the same.  We have pretty well run out of protective equiptment in the office, and are awaiting new shipments.

We have fho after hours availability for very urgent matters.  You must first call the physicians office to be screened and advised.  An onsite visit may be required.

To help with any potential backlogs, many previous medical scripts are being rewritten.  Prenatal care is being revised to accomodate the current situation, as is pediatric and well baby care.

For those worried about Covid, please take the quiz at covid-19.ontario.ca.       As isolation continues, we expect to see a rise in mood and stress disorders.  You can now access a counsellor for help by calling 289-291-5396 in our region.    Also see www.bouncebackontario.ca   1-866-345-0224  for anxiety and depression.

Sick notes are not required as part of the emergency legislation.

Sick notes – see CMA statement, urging all employers to discontinue requirement for sick notes during COVID-19. The Ontario Government introduced changes to the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 – the legislation will also make it clear employees cannot be required to show sick notes: https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-supporting-workers-municipalities-and-retailers-in-response-to-covid-19.html
 
We continue to monitor our phone messages for urgent matters. Please be patient during these times.  We can renew your prescriptions, but the orders suggest that pharmacies limit dispensing to 30 day amounts.   Referrals for routine matters are temporarily on hold.  Routine paperwork and forms will be collected and completed when time and circumstances allow.
 
Please take time to reach out and call anyone that you are aware of in self isolation. It can be a very trying experience to endure this alone.  There are more bright lights appearing in the dark cloudy horizon.  Learn to recognize them and enshrine them.
 
I have posted an editorial piece from today New York Times, that gives great advice from the battle hardened front lines of New York City. See editorial pieces on right column of website.