ANNOUNCEMENTS:

October 24: Our phones are now fixed and we can once again receive voicemails. We appreciate your patience during this issue.

**PLEASE NOTE: We continue to be currently short-staffed. Messages and emails may take longer to be returned. We appreciate your patience during this time.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you are required to wear a mask while in the office.

We thank you for your cooperation.

HEALTH CARD EXPIRY:

A valid health card is required at every visit. Prior to your appointment, please check your health card to confirm it has not expired. If it is expired, or expiring soon, visit Service Ontario to renew. Please note - if you do not have a valid health card at the time of your appointment you will be charged for the cost of the visit.

VIRTUAL CARE CHANGES

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Ministry of Health began to allow virtual healthcare (telephone, video). At Five Points Family Health we embraced virtual care as an opportunity to reduce the risks of this new disease for our patients.  

We have continually adapted our office policies based on recommendations from public health and the Ministry of Health. Now we face another shift. 

With increasing COVID-19 vaccination levels and recognizing the importance of a physical exam for a timely diagnosis, the Ministry of Health has made significant changes to the acceptable circumstances for virtual versus in-person healthcare.  As a result beginning December 1, 2022, appointments will be booked as follows:

1. The majority of appointments will return to in-person: any concern or issue related to a physical complaint (such as pain, rash, etc) requires an in-person assessment and examination

2. Virtual appointments will be preferentially booked as video appointments

3. Virtual appointments will ONLY be available for:

 a. review of results (provided no follow up examination is required)

 b. Mental health concerns 

c. prescription renewals - exceptions: requests for antibiotics require an in-person assessment; prescriptions requiring an examination (such as diabetic medications) require an in-person assessment. **note: new prescriptions will not be provided via virtual appointments

d. requests for referrals/completion of forms/notes *** provided a physical exam or assessment is not required to complete the request 

PLEASE NOTE: If you have not been seen in person within 2 years, you may be required to come in for an in-person appointment before a virtual appointment is available due to new Ministry requirements.

Should you have any questions about these changes, please speak with your physician at your next appointment. Thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation as we are faced with these new changes.

SCENT-FREE POLICY:

Reminder that the office is a SCENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT. Please do not wear perfume, cologne, or other scented products before coming to the office.