Updates: COVID, Ortho Clinic @Uxbridge, Newcomers Guide, Wellness
Dear OHT Physicians,
Happy Friday! Lots of things happening and a few updates that I'd like to share with you.
1. COVID Swabbing Pop-Ups and Voluntary Isolation Centre
The Ministry of Health has identified 15 vulnerable communities across the province with marginalized population, high COVID positivity, and low swabbing rates. South Markham has been identified as one of these communities. Carefirst FHT in partnership with Health For All FHT, the YMCA and MSH have launched an initiative that includes swabbing pop-up sites in South Markham, community education & outreach, and wrap around support. A Voluntary Isolation Centre has also been opened for those who are facing socio-demographic barriers to self-isolation. Attached is a 1 pager on COVID swabbing sites and supports available for your patients facing challenges related to COVID.
2. COVID VaccinationsYork Region Public Health (YRPH) has been busy with vaccinations including delivering first doses to the First Nations community on Georgina Island last week. They will be completing 2nd doses of COVID vaccination in LTC and retirement homes the first 2 weeks of February. I've worked with YRPH to provide our local LTC/retirement home physicians opportunity to vaccinate their own patients. Over the weekend, those who previously expressed interest should be receiving an email from Public Health asking for availability to help with LTC/retirement home vaccinations. Those with questions about scheduling should email: heocscheduling@york.ca.
All public health units have now submitted a mass immunization plan for their region to the province. In York Region, a task force has been created with representation from the OHT and primary care to assist with ongoing roll-out, including working groups on priority population and health care worker prioritization. Primary care leads from across the region have been advocating for improved communication on vaccination rollout. I'll do my best to keep you all updated.
In the meantime, there are webinars to keep us up-to-date on the latest vaccine information and ways to build vaccine confidence. View the past Why Hesitate? Let's Vaccinate! webinar at
https://primarycarenetwork-mh.ca/Past-Events/, or register for the OCFP Webinar on The COVID-19 vaccine: New vaccines, building vaccine confidence, and more, Friday, February 5th, 8:00-9:00am at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1eP548SQTtK1a0tMm_djkw.
3. New Orthopedic Clinic at Uxbridge SiteStarting this month, MSH has opened a satellite orthopedics clinic in Uxbridge. Referrals can be made using the same Central LHIN Orthopedic Assessment referral form as before. The referral form has not been updated to include the Uxbridge site, but it can be manually requested, or patients residing in Uxbridge may be given the option to book at the Uxbridge site when they are contacted by scheduling. See webpage for more details: https://www.msh.on.ca/clinics-departments/surgery/outpatient-surgical-clinics-markham-stouffville-hospital/orthopaedic-clinic
4. Newcomers Guide for York RegionThe Strategies and Partnerships Branch of York Region’s Community and Health Services Department developed the Newcomer Guide to help new individuals and families settle in York Region quickly and easily. The guide includes information on topics like housing, banking, healthcare, employment, finance, transportation and education and serves as a reliable resource for newcomers.
5. TechForward FellowshipIf you have an interest in family medicine and artificial intelligence, the CFPC has released a call of interest for a TechForward Fellowship. The opportunity is for a year in duration with an expectation for a one-day per week commitment, further details are available here: https://www.cfpc.ca/en/cfpc-ams-techforward-fellowship-call-for-interest. Deadline for application is February 15th.
Last but not least, I've attached the OCFP Physician Wellness Resources 1-pager. We're just over the 1 year mark since COVID emerged in Canada and no doubt many of us are feeling stretched and exhausted from this pandemic. Please take some time for self-care and do not hesitate to reach out to the wellness supports available.
Have a great weekend!
Em
