Local physicians are encouraging people not to put off visiting their family doctors during the pandemic.
The South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice wants people to know that new resources make it easier to connect for regular and ongoing patient care.
“Although we are in the midst of a pandemic, all residents are encouraged to continue with their regular health care and book appointments with a family doctor or nurse practitioner,” said communications lead Heather Allen.
She noted that care is still available at family medicine and walk-in clinics, with patients now being booked for by phone, by video or in-person appointments where appropriate.
Patients can find out more about how virtual care is being used at their own family doctor’s office and at local walk-in clinics, by visiting a new online virtual care directory called Pathways: www.pathwaysbcvirtualcare.ca.
Simply visit the website and type in your provider’s name to find up-to-date information such as new hours, special instructions for appointments and other resources.
Patients can also link to this directory by visiting the SOS Division of Family Practice website at www.divisionsbc.ca/south-okanagan-similkameen.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for patients to continue to book appointments and get support and treatment for medical concerns – whether this has to do with COVID-like symptoms or not,” said Dr. Tim Phillips, physician lead for SOS Division of Family Practice. “This pandemic is not going away tomorrow, so please don’t put off visiting your family doctor for regular care.”
Dr. Kathleen Ross, president of Doctors of BC, said it’s very important for people to continue seeing their family doctor for ongoing care, especially if they have long-term or chronic conditions.
Walk-in clinics, such as Penticton’s Apple Plaza and Peach City Medical, are open and readily available to provide care for patients who are without a family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Patients are also reminded that they can register on a primary care provider waitlist on the SOS Division of Family Practice Patient Attachment List: www.divisionsbc.ca/south-okanagan-similkameen.
Allen said they are continuing to attach patients from this centralized wait list, and in just one year have connected 3,600 patients in the region to family physicians and nurse practitioners.
