Welcome to the
LESLIE MEDICAL
FAMILY HEALTH ORGANIZATION
COVID 19 UPDATE
The updates regarding COVID-19 are coming quickly and there is a lot of information to absorb.
All experts agree that the measures that are being done are extremely important and not an overreaction. Social distancing is necessary to minimize risk to individuals and our system as a whole. This is all an attempt to flatten the curve, which means, to ensure that we don’t have everyone catching this at once, overloading our healthcare system and putting all of us at greater risk. We urge you all to consider these isolation messages proposed by Toronto Public Health and the Government of Canada quite seriously, to protect yourselves and also to protect others. We urge you to look after yourselves as well as checking in on neighbours, family and friends, even if just electronically.
Booking Appointments
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing risks, our office has adapted how we work in order to keep patients and staff safe while maintaining a high standard of care for you and your families.
Currently, all elective non-urgent appointments have been canceled. Cancelling these non-urgent visits will protect patients from unnecessary exposure and help free up our time to handle the increased workload due to the pandemic. If you have an urgent health issue that needs an in-person assessment, we would still encourage you to book an appointment. For non-urgent issues, we will offer telephone and video appointments.
We now have access to the OTN video consult platform. We can schedule telephone appointments with you during clinic hours. We also have access to a secure email platform, Wellx, to send you copies of requisitions or results. Emails are necessary for these virtual visits to occur. We will also be able to renew prescriptions without a visit for now (no fees will be charged).
PLEASE DO NOT DROP INTO THE OFFICE FOR ANY REASON
If you have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days and have fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, please DO NOT come to the clinic. Give us a call or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 to receive help with the next steps and advice on where to seek help.
Finally we have had numerous inquiries re: COVID-19 testing. In line with Pubic Health recommendations, we will not be assessing patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in our office. Centralized testing sites are set up in the GTA for those with travel history and symptoms.
For reliable, up to date information regarding COVID-19, we recommend visiting the following websites:
Toronto Public Health: https//www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/
Ministry of Health: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heatlh/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
We hope everyone stays well and healthy during these unprecedented times. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.
Best wishes
Dr. Steven Kahane, Dr. Tanya Wyman, Dr. Delia Curea and Dr. Jesse Teitel
For more information on the OMA's Physical Distancing Policy please download this file.
| physical-distancing-policy422-tl.pdf |
TELEPHONE/OTN CONSULTATION
COVID-19 is placing stress on Canada’s public health system. Our clinic is starting to offer virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the province. Others have been provided by vendors such as Google, or Apple to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor may ask you to visit a hospital or other health- care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.
We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:
You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for going to an Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).
If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different health care provider or other health care centre where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.
By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used Wellx email, telephone or OYN videoconferencing.
We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:
- Understand that this method of communication is not secure in the same way as a private appointment in an exam room.
- Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer’s or third party’s computer/device) and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal computer or tablet is more secure than using someone else’s computer, and your access to the Internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection.
You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for going to an Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).
If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different health care provider or other health care centre where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.
By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used Wellx email, telephone or OYN videoconferencing.
Welcome to our new and improved web site. Our hope is to use this site to keep all of our patients informed about the latest in office information and health related issues.
Please feel free to check back here periodically as we will endeavour to keep the site up to date.
If you would like more information the influenza vaccine please click here to download the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's 2011 influenza vaccine fact sheet.
For some information on end of life 'care planning' please take a look at http://advancecareplanning.ca/
You can download an end of life 'care planning' workbook here: http://advancecareplanning.ca/media/111331/acp_ontario_workbook_final-2014-web-form_colour_fillable.pdf
Please feel free to check back here periodically as we will endeavour to keep the site up to date.
If you would like more information the influenza vaccine please click here to download the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care's 2011 influenza vaccine fact sheet.
For some information on end of life 'care planning' please take a look at http://advancecareplanning.ca/
You can download an end of life 'care planning' workbook here: http://advancecareplanning.ca/media/111331/acp_ontario_workbook_final-2014-web-form_colour_fillable.pdf
In Good Health,
Dr. Steve Kahane, Dr. Jesse Teitel, Dr. Tanya Wyman, Dr. Delia Curea