A LETTER TO OUR PATIENTS (SPRING 2021)

Norfolk Family Medical Spring Update

Wow, time flies! Lots going on at NFM and in our world, so we’ll try to update you on everything at once.

First, vaccine stuff

Everyone 12 and up is now eligible to pre-register for their covid vaccine! Waits from pre-registering and booking are much shorter and it is hoped that everyone who wants a first shot with have it by about mid-June. You can preregister here: register.wdgpublichealth.ca or by calling the vaccine booking help line at 1-844-780-0202. Mon-Fri, 12-8 pm. Having trouble? Find a friend or family member to help, call the public library (they’ll book it for you) or talk to one of the amazing NFM staff.
If you are over 50 or have pre-registered with at risk health condition or occupation and have waited more than 4 weeks to be booked you can double check that you are registered here: register.wdgpublichealth.ca/check-registration or call the appointment booking help line (1-844-780-0202. Mon-Fri, 12-8 pm) to get set up.
If you are young and healthy, including kids, expect to hear sometime later in the month.
We will be doing some more vaccine clinics (with the Moderna mRNA vaccine) at NFM in the month of June. Keep an eye on our website or on our voice mail for the details once we have dates.
We expect that at some point we’ll be vaccinating kids even younger than 12 but we don’t know when yet
With AZ on pause due to worries about rare blood clots, we’re not yet sure how second doses are going to look. We know, however, that the ideal timing is around 12 weeks after your first shot so we have some time before it has to be sorted out. We’re all keeping our eyes on the science and the recommendations and will reach out to those that got their first shot at NFM closer to when your second shot is due. While the province announced that some people who have had AZ are eligible to have an early second dose, we do not have any AZ available to provide you. We also believe that it is safest to await evidence expected the week about the mix-and-match approach to covid vaccine (which may be more effective than getting two of the same)

Speaking of our website, that’s where we try to put updates as they come along (we’re better at it sometimes than others). You can even sign up to receive an email alert every time we post a new update.

We are still doing much of our care virtually (by phone or video) but still see patients in the office when need be. Often we’ll start with a phone call and then book for in person if we can’t sort it out virtually. It has been a long pandemic so the list of things delayed “until this is all over” is getting pretty long. Know that we are doing lots to make NFM a safe environment and if you feel you need to be seen please don’t delay too long.

Unfortunately, we've recently noticed an increase in frustrated patients expressing themselves in rude and angry ways to our staff. We’ve been pretty busy not only with all things NFM but also with work in covid assessment center, vaccine clinic, the hospital and retirement homes which means waits have been longer than usual. We understand that your health is important and it is hard to wait for an appointment, a referral, a form or a phone call. We are doing our best but waits will be longer right now. While we welcome you following up to make sure you're not forgotten, we respectfully ask that you do so in a polite and understanding way.