Primary Care Engagement and COVID Updates

Written By Emilie Lam

Hi,

Happy Friday everyone! A few updates for you


1. Primary Care Engagement: I've had a fun time with outreach to family practice offices that have not previously been connected with our primary care association and OHT. Below are a few photos from some of the engagement sessions. In addition to the physicians pictured below, I also met with Dr. Alwin Wu, Dr. Nancy Chang, Dr. Jason Lo, Dr. Wei-Mei Pang, Dr. Jeffrey Wong, Dr. Hayam El-Kateb and Dr. Ben Choi. More engagement sessions to come as we grow our primary care association. If you know a family physician in the area who isn't connected with our OHT yet, please let me know!

2. COVID-19 Vaccination Update

  • Mass vaccination clinics will be winding down this month and most are scheduled to close by the end of August

  • Markham Stouffville Hospital is assessing the ability to provide ongoing vaccine availability using the trailer space outside the Assessment Centre

  • Did you patient get their vaccine out of province? Please ask them to contact their Public Health Unit to ensure their vaccination is documented.

    • York Region Public Health has an online form for out of ontario vaccination or can call 1-877-464-9675

    • Durham Region residents can call the Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729 to provide proof of out of province or country COVID-19 immunization

3. Updated Primary Care COVID-19 Guidance (Jul 28) from MOH: Please see the attached document as there have been updates to the in-person and virtual care sections to reflect diminished pressures that required virtual care to replace in-person services early in the pandemic, and a shift towards more in-person care that can now be provided safely and appropriately.

4. Fall Acute Respiratory Illness Planning is currently underway at Markham Stouffville Hospital in collaboration with family physicians, emergency department physicians, pediatricians and community health partners. We are looking at the best ways to support an expected surge in COVID and non-COVID respiratory illness as we hit the Fall months. I'll have more information in the coming weeks.

5. Virtual Care K-codes extended: If you haven't heard yet, our K080, K081, K082 and K083 codes have been extended another year to September of 2022. See INFOBulletin for details.

6. News from MSH Childbirth and Children's Services: In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, see attached info about breastfeeding services provided at MSH.

Have a great weekend!

Em

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Dr. Emilie Lam MD CCFP(PC)Primary Care Lead, Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health TeamPhysician Lead, Evergreen Palliative Care Physicians

Emilie Lam
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