After Hours Clinics Information

DID YOU KNOW…?

Freestanding walk-in clinics do not send notes to your family doctor.

Our Family Health organization holds 6 after-hours clinics per week (Sunday through Thursday and either Friday or Saturday). To access after-hours care, please call the Telephone Health Advisory Service (THAS) at (866) 553-7205 to speak to a nurse about your medical condition and get the address for that day's clinic if you need to be seen.

Once you call THAS or see a doctor through our after-hours clinic, a note will be sent to your family doctor.

Continuity is important, both for you and for us, in order for you to receive the best care. We urge you to use this service for your non-emergency after-hours needs.

Please add the THAS phone number to your contact list today.

Flu Clinics 2018

This year's flu clinics will be on the following dates and times - please call our office to book your slot:

Friday November 16, 2018: 9 am - 4pm

You also have the option of attending the Public Health flu clinics, which are available on their website here: https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/clinics-classes/flu-clinics

Adults and older children also have the option to receive their flu shot at a local pharmacy. Please call our office to inform us if you have your flu shot done at a pharmacy, in order to keep our records up to date.

Watch this space for more dates and times as they are added!

October 2018 Parking Update

We are happy to announce that the West Parkade lot connected with Old Quebec Street Mall has reopened. We appreciate all the accommodation and patience of our staff and patients during the construction.

Dr Joan Chan - Upcoming Maternity Leave

Announcement for patients of Dr Joan Chan

Dr Chan will be taking a maternity leave starting March 13, 2018, and returning October 2, 2018.

Dr Meghan King will be taking care of Dr Chan's patients for the duration of her maternity leave - patients can book appointments with her in the same way they usually would book with Dr Chan at this office.

Referral Information for Dr Chan's Procedure Clinic

Dr Joan Chan is a family doctor who also has a special interest in small procedures such as skin biopsies, mole or skin tag removals.  She holds a clinic one Thursday morning every month to conduct these procedures.  Each appointment is typically 40 minutes long - it will include an assessment of the area of concern as well as the procedure itself, so expect to have the procedure done at your first visit with Dr Chan.  If the lesion or rash resolves before the appointment, please call to cancel the procedure.

SKIN BIOPSIES

If your doctor is sending you for a biopsy of a unusual rash or skin lesion, Dr Chan will likely use a scalpel or similar cutting tool to take out a piece or all of the lesion and send it to a lab.  These procedures are covered by OHIP.  They usually require sutures, so please plan to book an appointment 7-10 days after the procedure day to have the sutures removed.

COSMETIC MOLE OR SKIN TAG REMOVALS

If you are requesting the removal of a mole or skin tag because you dislike its appearance, this procedure is NOT covered by OHIP.  Dr Chan charges $50 for each lesion that needs removal (exception - several small skin tags in the same area of the body can count as one lesion).  She can typically only remove 2 lesions in one session due to limitations on time and supplies (so maximum $100 for the appointment).  The removal may or may not require sutures, so please plan to book an appointment 7-10 days after the procedure to have the sutures removed.

Note: There is no liquid nitrogen available at our office - so we are unable to freeze sun spots or warts.  These services would require referral to a dermatologist.

NO SHOW/CANCELLATION POLICY

If you do not attend your scheduled appointment with Dr Chan, you will be charged a no-show fee of $50.  48 hours cancellation notice is required, and if this is not honoured, you will need to pay the no-show/cancellation fee prior to being able to rebook this elective procedure.   Prior to your appointment, a large number of supplies are set up in preparation for your procedure - many of these cannot be used again if you do not attend the procedure appointment as scheduled, so this fee is to recuperate the cost of wasted supplies.  Please call as soon as possible to cancel or rebook if you learn you will be unable to attend the appointment.

Summer Vacation Dates 2017

Here are the current schedule summer vacations for the doctors at our office.  We ask that you try and plan accordingly when booking non urgent medical appointments (ex. routine checkups or medication renewals).

Dr Karen Alexopoulos
August 28 - September 8 (2 weeks)

Dr Monica Austin
August 7 - 17 (2 weeks)

Dr Renee Beland
July 24 - 28
August 21 - September 1 (2 weeks)

Dr Joan Chan
June 26 - 30
July 17 - 21
August 7 - 11

Dr Kyrie Little
July 24 - August 4 (2 weeks)

Dr Carol Thomson
To be announced

Immunization Update

FOR CHILDREN

There is a new vaccination that reduces the risk of meningitis B - its' brand name is Bexsero.  In the Ontario Public Health schedule, children are immunized against meningitis C at 12 months of age, and meningitis A, C, W and Y in grade 7 (Menactra).  Currently meningitis B is the most common strain of bacteria to cause meningitis, and Bexsero is the first vaccine to show benefit against this strain of the infection.  It is currently not covered by Public Health, and is approximately $130 per dose.  For infants under 12 months, 2-3 doses are required plus a booster after 12 months.  For older children and adolescents (up to age 17), 2 doses are required.  We are happy to give you more information at your next appointment with your physician if you are interested in getting a prescription for this immunization or learning more about if it is right for your child.

FOR ADULTS

The shingles vaccine (brand name Zostavax) is now covered by public health for those between ages of 65 and 70.  If you turn 71 in 2016 – born in 1945 – you can still get the free shingles vaccine. But you have to get it no later than December 31.

Here is a link with more information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-free-shingles-vaccine

Flu Clinics 2016

This year's flu clinics will be on the following dates and times - please call our office to book your slot:

October 24, 2016:  9 am - 4pm

October 28, 2016: 9 am - 4pm

Watch this space for more dates and times as they are added!

Zika Virus - What you need to know

Many of our patients have been asking questions regarding Zika virus.  Here are a list of frequently asked questions and links to further information about Zika virus.

What is Zika virus? "Zika virus infection is caused by a virus which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms can include fever, headache, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and rash, along with joint and muscle pain. The illness is typically mild and lasts only a few days. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against Zika virus infection." - Public Health Agency of Canada (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/notices-avis/notices-avis-eng.php?id=152)

Who should be concerned about Zika virus? Scientists have observed a possible link between Zika virus infection in a pregnant woman and certain malformations in their babies.   Therefore the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy avoid travel to areas of ongoing Zika virus outbreaks. All travellers should protect themselves against mosquito bites.  (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/notices-avis/notices-avis-eng.php?id=152)

What countries are affected? Click the following link for the most up-to-date travel advisories regarding Zika virus and any other infectious diseases issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/notices-avis

What should I do if I have recently travelled in one of the countries with Zika?  If you are:
Not pregnant + have no symptoms - no testing needed.  
Women hoping to become pregnant - Recommended to wait 2-3 months after your return before trying to conceive.  
Male partners of women planning a pregnancy - This virus is believed to be sexually transmitted so condoms should be used for 2-3 months after return from travel.
Pregnant women without symptoms - Go to your doctor for a blood test, ideally within 2 weeks of returning from travel, though can detect in blood up to 12 weeks after infection
Anyone with symptoms contracted during or after visit to country with Zika virus -  Go to your doctor for testing within 10 days of start of symptoms if possible.

Sources: 
Public Health Agency of Canada (links above)
SOGC Guidelines: http://sogc.org/news_items/zika-virus-and-pregnant-women