Medical Clinics – Two open, one closed, one re-opening on Wednesday

Jeff Green | Apr 01, 2020

Verona

The Verona Medical Clinic is closed because a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The clinic was closed on Wednesday, March 25, and will remain so until further notice. The clinic is still providing service/support for patients. Patients are advised to phone the clinic, 613-374-2077. The Tamworth clinic has stepped up to help patients of the Verona clinic

Northbrook

The Lakelands Family Health Team (Northbrook and Denbigh) has been closed since Tuesday, March 24 because of a single positive case. The Denbigh outreach clinic had already been closed for operational reasons, in order to consolidate services in Northbrook.

The Northbrook has been cleared to re-open on Wednesday, April 1.

The following was posted on the Lakelands Family Health Team Facebook page on Monday.

“We have been working closely with Public Health to protect our patients, staff and community. Public Health advises us that we can reopen on Wednesday [April 1]

“We will continue to screen at the door and will not be allowing any patients with respiratory symptoms into the building. Please call ahead for bloodwork and injections as we will be limiting both to necessary bloodwork and injections at this time. B12 injections, foot care and pulmonary function testing will not be happening at this time. We want to thank our patients and the community for their cooperation and would like to stress the importance of continued social distancing.”

Sharbot Lake

The Sharbot Lake Family Health Team (SLFHT) has remained open throughout the pandemic.

But it is not service as usual. As of this week only three staff are working on site – one doctor, one nurse and one receptionist. From Monday to Friday, only patients who have a scheduled appointment are approved to enter the building. If they have COVID symptoms they must wear a surgical mask. Patients without an appointment are asked to call before entering the clinic, for screening and approval to enter.

On Saturdays, when there is a walk-in clinic, patients are asked only to attend the clinic if they have an “urgent” problem that cannot be handled over the phone. Patients who are experiencing respiratory symptoms are asked to phone instead of entering the building.

Dr. Bell, the lead physician at the clinic, said that the clinic staff have been split into three crews, two of which are working at home, and one at the clinic. The crews are rotating week to week.

“That way, if we do have a staff member who tests positive in spite of the measures we are taking, we don’t all have to go into quarantine,” he said.

Posters explaining the protocol are posted at the door to the Family Health Team and its the website and social media feeds.

“We have been fortunate that, among our patients and in the local community, most everyone has been very co-operative and doing the right things,” said Maggie Black, SLFHT chief administrative officer

Sydenham

People attending at the Sydenham Medical Clinic are greeted with a sign on the door that says “This door is locked”.

The clinic is not closed, however, clinic staff are in the building during normal clinic hours..

Dr. Jack Raleigh, one of the Sydenham physicians, said that the clinic door has been locked to prevent walk-ins. Patients with appointments are being handled in may cases through phone or video appointments, but when necessary they are being seen in the clinic, in a secure room.

“We have not had any cases among our staff members, nor among our patients, thus far,” said Raleigh.

Rumours have circulated about cases in Sydenham and there have been reports that the clinic is closed.

This is not the case, Dr. Raleigh assured.

KLFA Public Health announced that there are now 34 cases in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington region, a doubling of cases over the weekend. We are attempting to get a rough location breakdown of cases by township from Public Health, and will report back when we know.