We know times of change and uncertainty can be stressful and can often lead you to feel helpless. You are not. As a Grow community, even though we will be “socially distanced” and doing much of our communication virtually now, we are still strong and can support one another. Over the coming months there will be much communication and information flowing to the public. We will do our best to highlight the most important and evidence based pieces that you need to know here. Even though how we interact will be evolving, your family doctor is still very much still here for you and working hard to get us all to the other side of this. We will be posting updates and announcements on our Facebook page and through our email newsletter.
COVID-19 Office Changes
Due to the federal and provincial calls for social distancing we have made changes to how patients are seen at GROW Health.
[Please do not call the on call doctor’s line for appointment related questions at all. This doctor is busy at the hospital and on the delivery ward. The on call line is for urgent, i.e. can’t wait until office next open, medical issues only.]
Please note the following FOUR important immediate changes:
1. “Virtual First”
We are still mostly “virtually first”. If you think your appointment can be done over the phone, please book it that way using our online system. If you have any infectious symptoms at all (rash possibly due to infection, fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.) please book a phone call and do not come into the office. We are booking PAP smears in person as usual.
FOR MATERNITY PATIENTS: we are back to doing these visits in person.
If you are having difficulty using the online booking page CLICK HERE!
2. DO NOT ENTER OFFICE IF YOU HAVE INFECTIOUS SYMPTOMS OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT COVID19 EXPOSURE
a. PLEASE do not come or bring your child to the clinic if you have any infectious symptoms: fever, extreme fatigue, muscle aches, chills, cough, runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, new rash, etc.
b. If you are feeling sick or are worried about COVID19 exposure, please make a new **PHONE APPOINTMENT**, you will be able to speak to a doctor and they will help you decide what next steps are needed.
****If you are having trouble breathing or are extremely unwell, and cannot wait for a phone appointment, you should seek emergency health services at a hospital or urgent care center****
3. PLEASE NOTE THAT PHARMACIES AND LABS ARE TAKING 48HOURS TO PROCESS REQUISTIONS AND PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
If, at your appointment, your doctor needs to send off a lab req for you to do labs or a prescription for you, please note that LifeLabs and all pharmacies are taking 48hours to process those requests. If this is too long given your circumstances, discuss an alternative with your doctor.
4. WE CANNOT PROVIDE NOTES REGARDING WORK ABSENCE OR PERFORM UNNECESSARY OR INAPPROPRIATE TESTING
As per instructions from the Minister of Health and the provincial Medical Officer of Health, we will not be providing notes for work absence due to illness. Below is a printable letter you can bring to your employer instead, if necessary. There are also instructions below about what to do if you have concerns about the safety of your workplace. We also are NOT doing COVID19 swabs at GROW. If necessary, we can refer you to the specialized clinics in town that are doing them.
OTHER NOTES AND REMINDERS
Social Distancing. The most effective way to contain this virus is by limiting our public interactions. We can not stress this enough. If you do not get this virus now, it means someone else at high risk who does get it can get the health care they need.
Remember – in order to continue keeping the clinic safe for all patients, we have implemented the following policies: Bring Your Own Toys (BYOT) and Reading Material – there are none in the clinic
The symptoms of COVID-19, are similar to other respiratory illnesses and include a dry cough, fever, tiredness, diarrhea and may involve difficulty breathing. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency, for example, problems breathing, etc, please call 911.
NEWSLETTERS
Newsletter 1 - https://mailchi.mp/d05d9655b7c8/covid19-changes-to-your-appointments-at-grow-health
Newsletter 2 - sick notes, when to call the doctor on call
Newsletter 3 - on being sad about pregnancy during a pandemic
Newsletter 4 - to do list for new maternity patients
Newsletter 5 - “virtual first” and going back to work
Newsletter 6 - office reminders, missed appointments, practice shares
Newsletter 7 - back to school info
Newsletter 8 - flu shots, getting C19 test results
Newsletter 9 - vaccines, missed phone calls, office updates
Newsletter 10 - phones, office update, vaccine for pregnant women
To sign up to automatically receive our updates, submit email here:
RESOURCES
Sick note for work - click here
If you feel unsafe returning to work - click here and here
Should I get tested or see my doctor for my symptoms?
BC screening tool - https://covid19.thrive.health/
Canadian screening tool - https://covid19.forlearners.ca/self-test/?fbclid=IwAR0ygjh95Kth9MhVWExPfUa5r2slE73bUyKZSgjdnlFJuLoAG8xyKOd4Arw
BC App for up to date information and self screening options
The Basics:
CDC - http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
BC Public Health - https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Island Health - https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/novel-coronavirus-information
For daily updates:
Government of Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
What you can do to help right now!
Flatten that curve - https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
Social distancing - https://www.nbc4i.com/nmw-coronavirus/what-is-social-distancing-understanding-the-best-tool-to-fight-the-coronavirus/
Wash your hands - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/world/how-to-wash-your-hands-coronavirus.html
Other things:
Mental Health:
See our website under the “Health Resources” tab.
Grow Health Safety Plan - May 2020:
Awesome Summary of Family Support during COVID19 (click here)