March 23, 2020
Dear Georgian Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic (GNPLC) patients and valued external stakeholders,
As the world changes rapidly with community spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), our thoughts have been with those affected by the virus and our colleagues who like us, are continuing to serve at the frontlines of this pandemic.
Our patients and external stake holders rely upon us to provide essential health care services including coordination, assessment, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
As we monitor the COVID-19 situation closely, we’re taking many steps to do our part in responding to the public health crisis while continuing to meet client needs, all while supporting the safety and well-being of our employees and patients.
Following the advice of the Georgian NPLC Board of Directors, we have focused our resources on supporting the health care system and to ensure we can maintain service over the next several months.
As per recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), our patient serving employees will continue to appropriately wear personal protective equipment for droplet precautions, which includes eye protection, masks, gloves and gowns.
As part of our COVID-19 response plan, we are implementing the following measures at our clinic:
- Screening, all patients and guests will be screened before entering the clinic. You may not be able to enter if you’ve had respiratory illness in the past 14 days or had exposure to anyone positive for COVID-19
- Booking appointments- each patient will receive phone screening before booking appointments
- You may be advised to visit COVID-19 Assessment Center if you have moderate to severe symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, and joint aches, and may also include nausea, diarrhea and stomach pains); fever 38’ or higher and or have underlying health conditions or are of age greater than 60 years
- In addition to inquiring with our Registered Nurses, and or Nurse Practitioners, you may contact public health/telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
- Cleaning, additional cleaning has been implemented and enhanced disinfectant cleaning is underway. Everyone entering the clinic will be asked to use the hand sanitizers provided
- Social distancing- we won’t be shaking hands and we’ll be keeping 1 meter of distance. We have reduced the number of people in the clinic waiting area
- Change of clinic service hours – virtual appointments (phone and or video) will be offered commencing March 18, 2020, Monday through Friday, 0830-1530pm
- This service is also suited for those wishing for some social distancing and preferring to stay at home during current pandemic
- Please phone and make an appointment the way as usual. If your appointment type is suitable for telephone of video consultation, we will provide you the time and date that your provider is ready to call you
- If you’re in a higher risk group for COVID-related illness, you are likely to be suitable for telephone consultation and directions will be provided by clinical staff
- In general, if you are not coming in to the clinic, don’t cancel your appointment. Instead, please let us know and we will conduct your visit remotely-by phone
- Please note that there are limitations to virtual consultation service. We cannot complete insurance or government forms, perform procedures, give injections, or complete physical exams
- Our Social Worker will be sharing nutrition resources, conducting phone and video assessments
- Our Registered Dietitian will be sharing mental health resources, conducting phone and video assessments
We urge you NOT to change any of your medications without discussing it with your nurse practitioner first - For medication refills, please have your pharmacy fax requests, one (1) week in advance of need
We are grateful for your patience and understanding of these precautions. We’ll also continue to provide you with updates of any public health measures that will affect your care at GNPLC.
On behalf of Georgian NPLC, I want to extend my utmost appreciation and admiration to our colleagues, administration, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and other medical staff, including our very own frontline employees all who are working tirelessly in the face of this pandemic.
We recognize that this is a challenging situation that is changing on a daily basis.
Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to do our part in supporting the health care system and the communities we serve.
If you have any questions or concerns, please connect for more information call 705-722-1581, or fax
705-722-1583.
Yours Sincerely,
Michelle Clifford-Middel,
Director/Lead Nurse Practitioner