Port McNeill Medical Collaborative
2161 McNeill Road V0N 2R0 Port McNeill, BC, Canada

**Update on doctor crisis. The clinic has some locum coverage through May though we are still awaiting the plan that the town and health authority have been working on for ongoing coverage. Dr. Armogam will continue to see people in person and through virtual visits. As appoinments slots are limited we have created a wait list for non-urgent matters such as test results, lab requisitions and prescription refills. The phones will continue to be answered 0900-1300 daily.... The pharmacy, at their discretion, may also be able to do an emergency prescription refill until your next review. If you have a medical issue that requires more urgent attention, please go to the ER where you will be asessed by a nurse and may be seen by the on call physician. If your presenting problem is non-urgent, you will be seen at a later date. Please refrain from calling the hospital about patient access to primary care. It is our understanding that the hospital staff are unaware of any new direction regarding this. This crisis situation and transition is difficult on us all, especially during the pandemic. Let's be thoughtful and responsible so we can weather this storm together. Be safe. Your partner in health, PMMC. For emergencies - call 911 or present to the nearest ER Nurses Hotline - call 811 Covid Hotline - 250-902-6091 Covid info - www.viha.ca http://www.bccdc.ca/ Crisis Hotline - 1-888-494-3888 https://nicccs.org/resources/ To enroll in myhealth - https://www.islandhealth.ca//virt/myhealth/enroll-myhealth You may need to copy and paste these links into your browser

The Port McNeill Medical Collaborative is receiving a large volume of inquiries regarding clinic appointment access and ER wait times. We continue to work tirelessly to serve this and surrounding communities. Today is Dr. Mijares' last day in clinic, though she will continue to work in the ER until Monday April 26. We are currently booking into late May for appointments and telephone consults. We do have a cancellation list going and will fill all cancellations as they occu...r. To this end please ensure that you cancel any appointment or telephone consult you are unable to keep so that it can be filled. Please realize that the support staff are doing their best under difficult circumstances and that hostility or verbal abuse will not remedy the current situation. This limited transitional state will likely continue until September when additionl physicians are expected to start. We have been advised that Town Council and Island Health have been meeting since last summer to prepare for this crisis but we are unaware at present of any plans for patients or providers. Please direct any questions regarding clinic access and ER patient flow to Town Council or Island Health. There is no intention to close the current clinic whether or not Island Health uses the current clinic space as an interim plan. We will continue to provide updates as soon as they are made available to us. Thank you.

Our phones are now back on. Thank you for your patience.

Good morning. Our phone systems to be taking a long weekend. We are working on this and hope to be up and running soon.

The storm has the clinic unexpectedly closed. Patients that we are unable to reach today, we will contact you to rebook. Stay safe everyone!

In observance of, and respect for, Remembrance Day, the clinic will be closed Wednesday November 11.

*Updated to remove MLA info. Dear patients: We recognize that these changes are distressing and perhaps scary to some. Your frustrations regarding limited access to primary care are understandable. This is a difficult phase that we hope to surpass with support from Island Health. Contacting Island Health or your local elected government officials; mp, mayor, town council, etc may be the more productive way to address this situation. Please see info below, you may have to... copy and paste. Thank you. Island Health Quality Care office: Phone: 1-877-977-5797 Fax: 1-250-370-8137 Email: [email protected] Rachel Blaney, MP Phone: 1-800-667-8404 - Campbell River Or: 1-604-489-2286 - Powell River Email: [email protected] Mayor Gabriele Wickstrom, [email protected] Councillor Ann-Marie Baron, [email protected] Councillor Shelley Downey, [email protected] Councillor Derek Koel, [email protected] Councillor Ryan Mitchell, [email protected]

Please be advised that as of October 15, 2020 until further notice, the clinic phones will be answered Monday to Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, only. They will not be answered after 1 pm. Please do not leave a message. If you experience an emergency, please call 911 or present to the nearest emergency department. If you are requiring urent medical care, proceed to the emergency department.... If you are experiencing Covid 19 symptoms please call 250-902-6091. Thank you.

Good morning! Unfortunately we can’t open the clinic without power. We will update once we know more. Any missed appts will be rescheduled. Thank you.

Good morning. Due to a staff shortage, the clinic will be closed at 1:00 today. If you have an appointment already booked, it will go ahead as planned. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 0900. ... Thank you for your understanding and warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

https://globalnews.ca//bc-family-doctors-coronavirus-supp/

Good morning communities. We are aware that there is a delay in getting through to the Island Health Covid 19 Hotline @ 250-902-6091. If you are experiencing symptoms, you can try the self assessment tool at https://bc.thrive.health/ or the call back link at https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/covidtesting.... If you are not able to get through, or have a call back within a reasonable amount of time, you should proceed to the hospital ER.

Good morning Just an FYI that the clinic will be closed on Monday September 28, 2020. All pre-booked telephone consults will go ahead as planned, just the building and phones will be closed. Please feel free to leave a message and we will return it as soon as possible on Tuesday September 29, 2020. Please do not leave multiple messages.... As always, if you have an emergency call 911, or present to your nearest emergency department. For Covid 19 testing please call the hotline at 250-902-6091. Thank you.

Dear patients: Please be advised that the present limited types of in person visits (telephone consultations are very much available) are related to current capacity issues mixed with pandemic demand. Our COVID 19 precautions and Work Safe BC Return to Work Plan are in place and being utilized.... We will not be responding to further comments, but will update the communites as soon as changes take place. Thank you.

The Port McNeill Medical Collaborative remains closed to most in-person visits while we await the Health Authority’s decision and support for continuing to partner in providing you with medical care, as they have for all other regional medical practices. In person visits that can be seen at the clinic are: prenatal, 1st post natal, cryotherapy, suture removal, injections, pre-operative physicals and drivers, marine or pilo’ts physicals. Otherwise please book virtual/telep...hone appointments with the clinic. The physicians of the Port McNeill Medical Collaborative also remain available to you, to be seen at the hospital. Please come to the hospital if you need to be seen in-person, understanding that wait times may vary, and that procedures such as mole excision, etc need to be arranged through the clinic staff. If you are turned away from the hospital, or are unhappy with the current care you receive, please contact: Island Health Quality Care office: Phone: 1-877-977-5797 Fax: 1-250-370-8137 Email: [email protected] Hon. Claire Trevena, MLA Phone: 1-866-387-2100 Fax: 1-250-287-5105 Email: [email protected] Rachel Blaney, MP Phone: 1-800-667-8404 - Campbell River Or: 1-604-489-2286 - Powell River Email: [email protected]

Dear Community: This page was built to provide information and ongoing updates to our patients. Slanderous comments under pseudo profiles are counterproductive and create misinformation and anxiety for the patients served by the health care professionals at the clinic and the hospital. Should you need medical care please do not hesitate to contact us at 250-956-3377 and we will be sure to assist you.

A message for our patients: The Port Mcneill Medical Collaborative remains committed to providing care to you and your family. We hope to meet the needs of most people through telephone visits and ask that you please note that as of September 14, 2020 there will be no in person visits at the clinic. Exceptions will be made for prenatal visits, first post natal visit,... pre-operative physicals, suture/staple removal, injections and aviation, marine or drivers physicals. If it is essential that you require an in person visit for any other reason, please proceed to the Port McNeill Hospital, understanding that wait times will be variable. As always, if you are experiencing an emergency call 911 or attend your nearest emergency department. Clinic hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5 pm, excluding statutory holidays. Please be aware that we continue to experience exceptionally high call volumes. If we are unable to answer your call please leave your name and number and we will get back to you. As a result of the pandemic, mixed with recruitment challenges, we are looking to develop a more sustainable model of care to better serve the community. This is the second time in 10 years that we are in crisis. We remain in dialogue with Island Health to align our community with same support provided to communities across Vancouver Island, including other North Island clinics. Please continue to be cautious and remain safe by following the Provincial guideline around Covid 19 practices. If you are experiencing symptoms of Covid 19, the Covid 19 hotline is 250-902-6091. For the most up to date guidelines please visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/healt/diseases-conditions/covid-19/data https://www2.gov.bc.ca//current/covid-19-novel-coronavirus https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/covid-19

Good morning. Please be advised that we will not be able to answer the phones today until 2pm. Please feel free to leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible after 2 pm. As always if you are experiencing an emergency please call 911 or report to your nearest emergency department. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you in advance for your patience.

Hey folks If you are expecting a telephone consult, please ensure your landline does not have a telemarketer block on and/or your cell phone accepts unknown callers. Thank you.

Good morning all. For your protection, as well as ours, our waiting room remains closed. To that end we wanted to post a few reminders as we continue to navigate these challenging times. -If you are experiencing an emergency - go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.... -Call the local Covid 19 hotline at 250-902-6091 if you are experiencing any symptoms related to the novel corona virus. -Please call to book or change appointments. 250-956-3377, -Please call from the parking lot to pick up paperwork. -If you are dropping off forms for the physicians to fill out please ensure you have filled out your section and have signed the appropriate authorizations, and call to let us know you are here for drop off. -Plan ahead for prescription refills. -Please call from the parking lot to check in for an appointment and wait in your vehicle or clear of the entrance ramp until you are asked to enter the building. Don't forget your mask Please be kind as we do our best under increased demand and extraordinary circumstances. Thank you.

Due to the planned BC Hydro power outage on Thursday, August 13, the clinic will be closed for the day. There will be a limited number of telephone consults available but must be booked in advance. Thank you for your understanding.

Hello everyone. Until further notice, the clinic will be closed daily from 1:00-2:00 pm. In addition, due to capacity challenges, we may experience reduced appointment availability. Please plan in advance for prescription repeats and annually required physicals such as drivers license, pilots license or marine medicals. Please be courteous and cancel your appointment if you are not able to attend. This will allow us to re-book the time slot for someone else in need. Thank you.

We will be up and running in about 15 minutes

The clinic will be closed during the power outage. We will reassess as the situation unfolds and will update. Thank you.

The Port McNeill Medical Collaborative will be closed Wednesday, July 1 2020. We will reopen Thursday, July 2 2020 at 0900. Thank you.

Beginning June 6 2020, the Port McNeill Medical Collaborative will be offering Saturday telephone consults from 10 am to 2 pm. These appointments will need to be prebooked. Please call 250-956-3377.

PORT McNEILL MEDICAL COLLABORATIVE AND U.B.C. Family Practice Teaching Site 250-956-3377 May 21, 2020... To Our Dear Patients: As the Province moves into Phase 2 of its restart plan, the clinic will, as of May 25 2020, be making changes in accordance with the guidelines provided to us. While Covid-19 has not gone away, the risk of one of us catching it and of it overwhelming healthcare has been reduced due to majority of the people following the public health guidelines. Our appointment protocol will continue with telephone consults for certain situations including prescription renewals, consults for patients over age 65, those who have underlying chronic health conditions or are on certain medications. You will have a point of care risk assessment at the time of your booking to determine the most suitable appointment type for you. There will be no walk-in appointments. We are all still reminded to be cautious as resurgence of another wave of infection remains a real possibility. To limit risk of exposure to our patients, the staff and physicians, we are rolling out slowly with one designated in-person physician per day. For in-person visits: We ask that you call from your vehicle when arriving in the parking lot to check in. We will ask that you remain in your vehicle (your own personal waiting room ) until we call to advise you your exam room is ready. Face masks are required upon entry to the clinic (does not have to be medical grade masks, 2 layer or more home made masks are fine such as folded bandannas/handkerchiefs, etc.) You will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms and your temperature will be taken You will be directed to sanitize your hands If you are not arriving in a vehicle, please call to let us know you have arrived and wait outside for your call to come in. As above, you will be required to wear a face mask, be screened for Covid-19 symptoms, have your temperature taken and sanitize your hands. For those who do not have their own mobile phones, let us know beforehand that this is the case. When you arrive, knock on the door for the staff to let you in. Please note: Social distancing is in effect at all times unless otherwise directed by your physician. NEW: Entrance to the clinic will be through the front door/ramp, and exit will be through the back door (or side door ramp for those with mobility difficulties). Directions to the exits will be marked. As always: If you have an emergency call 911 or go directly to the Emergency Room. Do not hesitate to seek medical care! If you have symptoms of Covid-19, please call the Mount Waddington Covid Hotline at 250-902-6091 or the BC Nurses Hotline at 811

Just a reminder please. At this time especially, please do not let your prescription run out, or almost run out, before calling for an appointment. It is a good idea to call at least a week ahead. Thank you

Hello everyone! Please read the excerpt below and we encourage you strongly to take the survey! Thank you & stay safe. The Port McNeill Medical Collaborative... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Message from Island Health Authority: Yesterday, the Province launched a population health survey in partnership with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, PHSA, and all regional health authorities. The BC COVID-19 survey: Your story, our future asks how COVID-19 has affected your life, your family and your future. This survey will further strengthen our pandemic response and help guide the B.C. Government and Provincial Health Officer in the weeks and months to come. We encourage you to take 10-15 minutes to participate in the survey (http://www.bccdc.ca//diseases-con/covid-19/covid-19-survey). Please share widely encourage your friends and family to have their voices heard, and consider whether there are people you know who might need some assistance in accessing it. Those who cant complete the survey online or need assistance in another language can call 1-833-707-1900, seven days a week, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., to take the survey over the phone. At the end of the survey, participants are asked about their interest in taking part in two future initiatives: a serology survey (blood testing) to help determine immunity across the population; and the planning for digital tools such as location-based smartphone apps to help identify and manage COVID-19 infections in our communities. Your voice matters, we encourage you to make it count!

PORT McNEILL MEDICAL COLLABORATIVE AND U.B.C. Family Practice Teaching Site PHONE: 250-956-3377 April 22, 2020... To The Dear People of Our Community: The past weeks have been trying for everyone and we appreciate the support that you have shown by following the guidelines set forth by the public health authorities to keep the numbers of COVID-19 infections at manageable levels. Even at this time, non-COVID related conditions and diseases are still present and we, as your partners in health, are here to make sure that those concerns are not neglected. The Port McNeill Collaborative clinic continues to provide telephone, video call (Zoom) and Telehealth appointments for prescription refills and any other concerns. Necessity for in person appointment is determined through the virtual appointment with the physician. Port McNeill Hospital remains open for acute urgent matters that are potentially life and/or limb threatening whether related to COVID or not. If you are unsure whether you should go to the hospital or not, you may call the hospital or the clinic (during clinic hours) and ask for direction. There is of yet, no end in sight for the current situation but in the meantime we hope that you stay well, keep your mind and body healthy, do not neglect self-care, keep the physical distance but socialize virtually! Talk to your loved ones and friends via the medium of your choice (Facebook, Facetime, Zoom, etc.) and lets keep each others spirits up! Your doctors, Prean Armogam Joy Mijares Meredith Borbandy

Sharing a letter from Dr. Whittaker

PORT McNEILL MEDICAL COLLABORATIVE AND U.B.C. Family Practice Teaching Site April 7, 2020... Dear Patients: After 8 years of providing medical care to the people of the North Island I will be leaving the community effective April 30. This is due to personal unforeseen circumstances. I moved to Port McNeill as a young man looking for adventure and boy did I find it! I married my wife here (room 2 at the clinic!). We have had 3 beautiful children who call the North Island home. I have explored the far reaches of this place and along the way have met amazing people who are devoted to the land and our beautiful sea. I even managed to catch some fish along the way When I reflect on my time here, I will miss the walks along the harbor, the friendly faces in the stores and knowing that the people of this community look out for each other like none I have seen or known before. I was humbled during the recent Forestry Strike at the resilience and the community mindedness of our people. I have also been humbled by the incredible people I have met and learned from in the First Nations communities that we have served. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye. However, I know that the people of this part of the world will continue to be served by the fantastic health team that we have at the clinic, the hospital and within the community. They are committed to ensuring that you continue to be cared for and valued. All our physicians at the clinic are accepting new patients and would be happy to continue providing Primary Care services to you. If you have any questions for me, in the next couple of weeks, please reach out to the clinic and I will contact you personally. Yours in good health Dave Whittaker

Are you unsure you to access your doctor at the Port McNeill Medical Collaborative? Your family physicians are available to provide care to patients by using telephone or video during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people may not be dealing with medical issues because they believe we have closed our offices. ... We are providing care in a different way that allows people to connect with their own doctors from the safety of their home. By using virtual care, we can ensure our patients are safe, and can maintain physical distancing to reduce the risk of transmission. We can also ensure our physicians are safe, so that they can continue to provide medical services throughout this difficult time. Although the virus is top of mind right now, people still need ongoing care and advice for acute or chronic conditions requiring treatment or medication. We can provide a lot of that medical care through telephone or video. As family physicians, we know you best. We know your medical histories, your families, your circumstances, and we are in the best position to meet your medical needs. For seniors living at home, those with disabilities, or people considering themselves to be high-risk, it is especially important that they contact their doctor for advice if they have not already connected. To book an appointment, just call our office number 250-956-3377. Our medical office staff will walk you through how the visit will work, whether it is on telephone or video. The important thing is not show up at our office door. Always call in advance. If a patient does need an in-person visit, we will assist in setting that up, whether it is in our own office, or at a designated site.

We received a heart in our garden <3