Daily COVID-19 Memos
Daily Memos:
This page will be updated daily to provide important local information from our local family doctors and nurse practitioners to residents of the South Okanagan Similkameen.
Daily Memo: Monday, March 30:
For non-emergency health concerns, patients are reminded to call their family medicine clinic or a walk-in clinic for care. Patients will either be scheduled for an appointment by phone, by video or, if necessary, for a face-to-face appointment. Face-to-face appointments are being limited at some clinics in order to limit potential spread of COVID-19.
If an in-person appointment is required, the patient may be referred to the new Outdoor By-Appointment Assessment Centre opening today at McLaren Park Arena. This Centre is an option for patients who need to be seen in person by a doctor or nurse practitioner. This is not a testing site for COVID-19. When an appointment is booked, instructions will be given to guide the patient through the appointment process.
Daily Memo: Friday, March 27:
New option for in-person appointments: Starting Monday, March 30th, local family physicians and nurse practitioners are adding a new option for patients who need in-person appointments with a care provider. These patients can be seen, by appointment only, at a new outdoor assessment centre in Penticton. This Centre at McLaren Park Arena parking lot is not a COVID-19 testing site. Rather, it is an opportunity for a physician or nurse practitioner to determine a patient’s immediate care needs, while ensuring that as a community we work to reduce potential spread of COVID-19.
How it works: A patient calls their family medicine clinic or walk-in clinic. If their needs can be met with a video or phone appointment with their regular provider, that will be booked. If a face-to-face appointment is required, the clinic will then schedule an appointment for the patient to see a nurse practitioner or family doctor at the Assessment Centre. Instructions from the clinic and signage at the site will easily guide the patient through the experience. *Remember to call your family medicine clinic, and do not show up at the door for an appointment!
Daily Memo: Thursday, March 26:
Accessing nonemergency care: please call your family medicine clinic to inquire about setting up a virtual appointment. If you do not have a GP/NP, call a local walk-in clinic. GPs and NPs in the South Okanagan Similkameen are here for you, but it remains very important that no patients ‘show up’ at any medical clinics without first calling ahead.
Call out for Protective Equipment: Local GPs and NPs are graciously accepting public donations of Personal Protective Equipment to assist in their frontline battle against COVID-19. If your organization or business is willing to donate any unused equipment listed below, please do not drop off equipment at hospital or clinics. Pease email ppedonations@sosdivision.ca
- Surgical or procedural masks or n95 masks
- Industrial dust masks
- Latex and non-latex gloves
- Safety glasses
- Safety goggles
- Face shields (with or without masks)
- Procedural gowns
Daily Memo: Wednesday, March 25:
Your family doctors, nurse practitioners and midwives in the South Okanagan Similkameen are graciously accepting public donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to assist in their frontline battle against COVID-19. If your organization or business is willing to donate any unused equipment listed below, please email ppedonations@sosdivision.ca
- Surgical or procedural masks
- Industrial dust masks
- Latex and non-latex gloves
- Safety glasses
- Safety goggles
- Face shields (with or without masks)
- Procedural gowns
Family doctors, NPs and midwives are very grateful for the support of their community during this challenging time.
Daily Memo: Tuesday, March 24:
GPs and NPs in the South Okanagan Similkameen are here for you. If you are in need of non-emergency medical care, call your family medicine clinic to inquire about setting up a virtual appointment. If you do not have a GP/NP, call a local walk-in clinic. We all have a responsibility to comply with social distancing measures; It is very important that no patients ‘show up’ at any medical clinics without first calling ahead. Our actions today will greatly impact how COVID-19 will impact our communities in the coming weeks and months. Please do your part and #stayhome