#BlackLivesMatter

WellFort Clients and Community Members,

This past week has been difficult for many of our staff and community members. We want to begin by acknowledging the heaviness of ongoing violence and loss due to anti-black racism at this time. The police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 has sparked mobilization across North America and the globe. Anti-black racism and the mobilization toward eradicating it are not new. While sharing information and raising awareness about the oppression faced by black bodies at this time is incredibly important, we also want to recognize that repeated witnessing of violence on news and social media can have a profound impact on mental health as does the continued experiences of oppression faced by black communities every day. In solidarity with black staff and community members we want to emphasize our commitment to fighting against injustice and anti-black racism in particular.

In 2018, the Canadian Public Health Association released a statement recognizing racism as a public health issue. As newly released race based data sheds light on the effects of COVID 19 across our communities, we are able to see how people of color are disproportionately affected. Paired with the sustained harms against black and indigenous bodies it is clear that racism has moved beyond a public health issue to a public health emergency.

As an organization that is deeply committed to speaking out against all forms of oppression we want to ensure that our black community members know that we stand in solidarity alongside you in the ongoing fight against anti-black racism. We are committed to speaking out against injustice and toward creating communities where health disparities based on race and other forms of oppression are eradicated. 

At this time, we want to remind you that our clinics remain open. If you are experiencing feelings of overwhelm, sadness, anger, or distress please reach out to our team to help guide you in accessing appropriate supports.

Important information about WellFort Community Health Services’ response to COVID-19 pandemic and patient appointments

* We are committed to providing the best possible care to you while we respond the evolving COVID-19 situation. Please check back and monitor our website for updates

Notice to all patients:

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, starting immediately, we will be rescheduling all non-urgent in-person patient appointments until further notice. To continue to provide the best possible care to our patients, we will be offering virtual care visits such as telephone appointments and video visits (eVisits) to patients to address their health concerns.

If you require an urgent appointment, please contact us as seen below:

Prescription Renewals: Please ask your pharmacy to send prescription renewals by fax. We are working hard to ensure prescriptions are renewed in a timely manner

Telephone appointment:

Our Healthcare providers are currently offering telephone appointments as the primary way to provide service for most appointment types.  These can include medication renewal, stable chronic disease follow-up, non-urgent acute conditions, short-term follow-up deemed appropriate by your provider, counselling follow-up and dietary counseling and follow-up.

Video Visit Appointment (eVisit):

In certain circumstances, you may be able to connect with your family physician or nurse practitioner virtually through a video visit.  Using your computer or mobile device, along with technology provided by the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) or Zoom, you can have a video visit with your family physician or nurse practitioner without having to leave your home.

What is an eVisit?

An eVisit is just like a regular appointment; the only difference is that you will see and speak with your health-care provider through video. Before you start the appointment, your healthcare provider will send you an invitation with instructions to your email address on file.  Your provider will have access to your medical chart and relevant information to support your eVisit.

What do I need to do in an eVisit?

You will require a private space with access to the internet, a valid email account, a personal computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone with video and audio capabilities (microphone and headphones/speaker).  There is no cost to using the service.

Will the eVisit be private?

Just like an in-office health-care appointment, your eVisit will be private and confidential. It can only be seen and heard by you and your health-care provider. These video visit platforms have been reviewed by WellFort’s IT support group and Privacy officer and have technical safeguards in place to protect patients’ personal health information.

Harm Reduction Services:

Clients in need of harm reduction supplies including Naloxone can call the centre to be connected with a member of our Bloom team who will complete a screening via phone and schedule a time for pick-up of supplies at either our Bramalea or Malton location.

Community Programs:

Videos and live streaming sessions will be available soon for regularly scheduled in-person groups.  In the meantime, our community team is still providing assistance with:

• Food delivery coordination (food banks)
• Medication delivery arrangements
• Local community groups (online)

Deliveries, Pickup and Service Providers:

Please contact us before making deliveries, coordinating pick-ups and to provide any scheduled maintenance services.  We currently have modified hours and are closed on Saturdays.  All regular and essential service visitors will be screened at point of entry.

Welcome to the Bramalea Community Health Centre Website

Bramalea Community Health Centre, a member of the WellFort family, providing primary health care focusing health promotion and prevention to the residents of Bramalea since 2008. An interdisciplinary team of health professionals; physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, chiropodist, dietitian, physiotherapist, social worker collaborate to provide a holistic approach to health care to address, both health and social needs. Our approach to client service is client centered, open focused, which includes: fluid and mobile, anti-oppressive, asset based, open and accessible. We value diversity and we provide culturally competent care.

In addition, the Community Team of the Centre works closely with the local community and community leaders to identify and address issues that affect health at local level. Also, we work closely with local stakeholders to increase community capacity. Bramalea CHC provides support to local initiatives, build partnership, strong voice around community health and encourage volunteer engagement.

We are working for a safe and healthy community.

Many thanks to our community leaders for all their passion, energy and ideas in creating and supporting our centre. We would also like to thank Ontario's provincial government and the Central West LHIN who are funding our efforts. The Bramalea Community Health Centre is proud to be a part of our province's publicly funded health care system.