On March 15, Ontario Hospitals received a directive from the Ministry of Health to limit elective surgeries and non-emergency activities. Due to this request, outpatient services were closed or delivered virtual care over the summer months.
Baycrest is pleased to announce that clinics are gradually resuming in-person visits in cases where virtual care is not an option. This gradual restart of ambulatory services is aligned with provincial guidelines which also state that, wherever possible, on-site volumes should be minimized. For this reason, we are expanding our virtual technologies. This means that some of our healthcare clinicians continue to conduct clinical appointments using video and audio communication tools.
Patients with urgent needs or care requirements that cannot be offered virtually, are prioritized for in-person visits. If you have been contacted to attend an in-person visit, it is important that you arrive on time but no earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment. This is in support of our efforts to minimize on-site time and maintain physical distancing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Please visit our website at www.baycrest.org to receive the most up-to-date information.
Please see below for the full list of clinics.
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Service
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Status
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Alpha Omega Dental Centre
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Limited appointments
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Memory Clinic
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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Wound Clinic
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Limited appointments
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Hearing Services
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Limited appointments
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Ear, Nose & Throat
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Limited appointments
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Seniors Counselling & Referral
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Virtual
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Behaviour Support Outreach – Long Term Care
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Virtual and/or limited to specific inpatients only
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Behaviour Support Outreach – Community
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Virtual
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Behaviour Support Outreach – Coordinating Office
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Virtual
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Assistive Technology Clinic (ATC)
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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Echo CLINIC
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Limited appointments
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Cardiology
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Limited appointments
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Limited appointments
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Limited appointments
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Female Pelvic Health
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Limited appointments
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General Neurology
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Limited appointments
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Opthalmology
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Limited appointments
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Urology
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Limited appointments
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Chiropody
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Limited appointments
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Day Treatment
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Virtual and Limited appointments
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PDH
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Virtual
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GPCS
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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ICCT – Integrated Community Care Team
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Open - continued offsite and virtual
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IPCT – Interprofessional Primary Care team
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Open - continued offsite and virtual
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Ambulatory Mental Health
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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Geriatric Assessment Clinic
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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Memory and Aging Program
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Virtual
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Learning the Ropes
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Virtual
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Memory Link
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Virtual
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Training Executive Attention
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Virtual
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Neuropsychology Assessment Services
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Virtual and limited in-person visits
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What will happen during a virtual care appointment?
A: A virtual care appointment will be as similar to an in-person appointment as possible. During a virtual care appointment, participants can talk with the doctor or healthcare provider about any health-related concerns. Some concerns can be addressed during the virtual care appointment, but if needed, the provider may arrange an in-person examination. To facilitate the use of our technology, another staff member may be present during the virtual care appointment.
Q: Will all my doctor’s appointments be virtual?
A: Virtual care appointments are enabling our healthcare teams to provide quick, safe, and effective care for our community. Virtual care appointments will be determined by your doctor or healthcare provider on a case-by-case basis. Despite provincial guidelines that ambulatory appointments can be resumed, it is still important that we limited in-person visits to the extent possible to minimize foot traffic on the campus. A member of the healthcare team or a delegate will speak to the patient (or the patient’s substitute decision-maker) in advance or at the time of the visit to obtain consent for the virtual appointment.
Q: What if I don’t have a smartphone, a laptop or an internet connection?
A: For community visits and Hospital outpatients: Before your first virtual care appointment, your doctor or a member of their team will inform you of the necessary devices and software needed to conduct the appointment. If you do not have the necessary devices, let the healthcare team know and they will do their best to accommodate you.
For Hospital inpatients and Apotex/Terraces residents: All necessary devices and software will be provided by Baycrest at the time of the appointment.
Q: Can I still meet with my doctor in person?
A: Your doctor or healthcare provider will inform you if an in-person appointment is required. If you are unable to attend an in-person appointment, alternate arrangements will be recommended by your doctor or healthcare provider. Please call the clinic if you are feeling unwell; please do not attend the clinic appointment if you are sick. Patients attending clinic appointments on campus will have to pass active screening upon entering Baycrest at the doors.
Q: What if I need a prescription and have been unable to have an appointment?
A: If you need to refill an existing prescription, please contact your pharmacy and arrange to either pick up the medicine, have it delivered, or have it picked up by someone else, in line with the pharmacy’s policies. If you do not have any more refills or repeats for an existing prescription, please either ask the pharmacy to contact the prescribing physician or your primary care physician. If you need a new prescription, please contact your primary care physician so you can be assessed to determine if you need a prescription.
Q: Is there a way to speak to my doctor/clinical contact?
A: You may call your physician or clinical contact by calling the clinic or by calling their extension through locating. You may hear a voicemail message further directing you on how to contact your doctor or clinical contact.
Q: What if I have to speak to my doctor about an urgent matter?
A: If you have questions or health-related concerns, please call your physician or clinical contact (described above), or your primary care physician. However, if it is truly an emergency (e.g., chest pain), please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
Q: I am waiting to hear back on a matter, what is the status/process now?
A: The clinical team will contact you about any outstanding issues or test results. You may contact the clinical team as described above. If you are waiting on test results, the doctor will call you. If you are waiting on the status of an appointment, we will call you as we gradually resume services. If you want to confirm, cancel or change a virtual visit, please contact the clinician or clinic as described above.
Q: What if I have questions?
A: If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact covidquestions@baycrest.org.
Please visit the COVID-19 page on our website here for the most up to date information.
Thank you for your understanding.