News & Updates
You can find all News & Updates here and can also be found in the inbox of the email the patient provided to us during registration.
Clinic Updates (Posted Nov. 14/23)
Dear Patient,
With the busy holiday season approaching, we would like to provide you with our clinic updates.
Flu and Covid Vaccines
We have received more COVID and Flu vaccines and encourage you to call the office to book an appointment if you have not yet received your vaccines. We will continue to offer the vaccines we have until our supply runs out. We currently have both high-dose and regular-dose flu vaccines.
Masking - Clinic Policy
As COVID makes a comeback and cold and flu season is upon us, we wanted to remind you of our ongoing masking policy in office.
To reduce the spread of infection to staff and patients, we require everyone to wear a mask to all appointments. We are no longer able to provide masks. Please bring your mask to all appointments and put it on before entering the office.
Annual Holiday Fundraiser
***NOTE: EARLY DEADLINE THIS YEAR OF DECEMBER 4TH***
It’s that time of year again! For those patients new to the practice, every year we work with Halton Children’s Aid to support local children and teens in need. This year we have also partnered with a local community group to sponsor families in need. The wish list of items for the families and Halton Children’s Aid are below. Everything can be dropped off at our office or cash donations can be called in by debit or credit. We recognize many families are struggling financially this year and expect we will receive fewer donations. The families we are sponsoring are mindful of this and worried about asking for too much. Feel free to use your imagination if you want to add to the items requested. Some ideas would be warm clothing (pajamas, warm socks, underwear, hat/mittens, sweatshirt/sweatpants). Please never feel an obligation to participate. If you are able to donate the deadline is Dec 4th.
***ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW AND IN PACKAGING***
Family Sponsorship Wish Lists
*In the past some of you have sponsored all the needs of an individual or family which is amazing. If you plan to do this, please call and let us know. We will send out email updates and take that family (or individual) off the list.
Family R
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size medium
-
female age 17: Indigo gift card, size women's extra small
-
male age 13: Adidas 3 in 1 (shaving kit, shampoo, and body wash), size men's medium pants, large shirts
Family T
-
adult male: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
male age 8: Lego, art and craft supplies, size 7 kids
-
male age 8 (twin): Lego, art and craft supplies, size 7 kids
Family G
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size medium
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
male age 5: art supplies, Lego, size 6 kids
-
male age 4: art supplies, Hotwheels, size 5 kids
Family I
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
female age 9: plush toy, size 14-16 kids
-
male age 7: globe/map, size 8-10 kids
-
male age 5: cars/trucks - size 7 kids
-
male age 18 months: musical toy/instrument - size 3T
Family MC
-
adult male: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size extra large
-
male age 18 (developmental disability) anything with lights/sounds, red T-shirt size men's extra large, running shoes men's size 10
Family S
-
adult female - Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
adult male - Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size extra large
-
male age 13 - shoes men's size 10, sports equipment, clothes size XL
-
male age 12 - clothes size XL
-
female age 8 - art supplies, size 16 kids
-
female age 6 - musical, size 12 kids
Halton Children’s Aid Donations
Gift Cards – suggest values of $25 or $50
-
Prepaid Visa or MasterCard
-
Walmart
-
Grocery Stores
-
Best Buy
-
Local Shopping Malls
-
Shoppers Drug Mart
-
Fast Food Restaurants
-
Amazon
Life Start Kit (Items for youth transitioning to independent living)
-
bath and hand towels
-
tea towels and dishcloths
-
oven mitts, potholders
-
drinking glasses and mugs
-
cutlery and dishes
-
saucepans, frying pans and cookie sheets
-
kettles and toasters
-
stick vacuums
-
mixing bowls and chopping boards
-
kitchen utensils (whisk, wooden spoons, etc.)
-
colanders and reusable food containers
-
can openers and measuring cups
-
brooms and mops
-
bedding – sheets, comforters (all sizes)
-
soft blankets and pillows
-
laundry hampers and baskets
Welcome Kit (Items for newborns and mom/caregivers)
-
diapers, baby wipes
-
washcloths, lotions and soaps
-
cotton receiving blankets, baby blankets
-
diaper bags
-
nursing items (pads, pump, pillow)
-
onesies, infant clothing
-
rattles, infant toys, teething toys
-
baby thermometers
-
baby monitors
-
cribs, strollers, swings
Comfort Kit (gifts for special occasions, birthdays or to provide comfort during periods of transition)
-
duffel bags, backpacks or small suitcases
-
cozy blankets and fun/soft pillows
-
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush etc.)
-
reusable water bottles
-
pajamas and socks (all ages)
-
child/adult activity i.e.colouring book/pencil crayons, puzzles
-
gift cards for Tim Hortons, Subway, McDonalds, etc.
Personal Care Kit (Items for youth age 16 and older)
-
hair clipper/beard trimmer kits
-
nail care kits
-
hair dryers/straighteners
-
teen packs
-
toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush/paste, deodorant etc.)
-
socks and PJs (all ages/genders)
-
wireless earbuds/headphones
-
wireless speakers
-
wallets
-
cozy blankets
Education Kits (Junior Kindergarten to postsecondary)
-
backpacks
-
locks, locker accessories
-
reusable water bottles
-
reusable food containers
-
Ziplock bags
-
pencils, pens, highlighters
-
markers, pencil crayons, crayons
-
lined paper, binders, dividers
-
pencils cases
All the best,
The Staff and Physicians at Birchtree Family Medicine
ANNUAL HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER (Posted Nov. 13/23)
Dear Patient,
Annual Holiday Fundraiser
***NOTE: EARLY DEADLINE THIS YEAR OF DECEMBER 4TH***
It’s that time of year again! For those patients new to the practice, every year we work with Halton Children’s Aid to support local children and teens in need. This year we have also partnered with a local community group to sponsor families in need. The wish list of items for the families and Halton Children’s Aid are below. Everything can be dropped off at our office or cash donations can be called in by debit or credit. We recognize many families are struggling financially this year and expect we will receive fewer donations. The families we are sponsoring are mindful of this and worried about asking for too much. Feel free to use your imagination if you want to add to the items requested. Some ideas would be warm clothing (pajamas, warm socks, underwear, hat/mittens, sweatshirt/sweatpants). Please never feel an obligation to participate. If you are able to donate the deadline is Dec 4th.
***ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW AND IN PACKAGING***
Family Sponsorship Wish Lists
*In the past some of you have sponsored all the needs of an individual or family which is amazing. If you plan to do this, please call and let us know. We will send out email updates and take that family (or individual) off the list.
Family R
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size medium
-
female age 17: Indigo gift card, size women's extra small
-
male age 13: Adidas 3 in 1 (shaving kit, shampoo, and body wash), size men's medium pants, large shirts
Family T
-
adult male: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
male age 8: Lego, art and craft supplies, size 7 kids
-
male age 8 (twin): Lego, art and craft supplies, size 7 kids
Family G
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size medium
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
male age 5: art supplies, Lego, size 6 kids
-
male age 4: art supplies, Hotwheels, size 5 kids
Family I
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
female age 9: plush toy, size 14-16 kids
-
male age 7: globe/map, size 8-10 kids
-
male age 5: cars/trucks - size 7 kids
-
male age 18 months: musical toy/instrument - size 3T
Family MC
-
adult male: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
adult female: Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size extra large
-
male age 18 (developmental disability) anything with lights/sounds, red T-shirt size men's extra large, running shoes men's size 10
Family S
-
adult female - Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size large
-
adult male - Walmart gift card/grocery gift card, size extra large
-
male age 13 - shoes men's size 10, sports equipment, clothes size XL
-
male age 12 - clothes size XL
-
female age 8 - art supplies, size 16 kids
-
female age 6 - musical, size 12 kids
Halton Children’s Aid Donations
Gift Cards – suggest values of $25 or $50
-
Prepaid Visa or MasterCard
-
Walmart
-
Grocery Stores
-
Best Buy
-
Local Shopping Malls
-
Shoppers Drug Mart
-
Fast Food Restaurants
-
Amazon
Life Start Kit (Items for youth transitioning to independent living)
-
bath and hand towels
-
tea towels and dishcloths
-
oven mitts, potholders
-
drinking glasses and mugs
-
cutlery and dishes
-
saucepans, frying pans and cookie sheets
-
kettles and toasters
-
stick vacuums
-
mixing bowls and chopping boards
-
kitchen utensils (whisk, wooden spoons, etc.)
-
colanders and reusable food containers
-
can openers and measuring cups
-
brooms and mops
-
bedding – sheets, comforters (all sizes)
-
soft blankets and pillows
-
laundry hampers and baskets
Welcome Kit (Items for newborns and mom/caregivers)
-
diapers, baby wipes
-
washcloths, lotions and soaps
-
cotton receiving blankets, baby blankets
-
diaper bags
-
nursing items (pads, pump, pillow)
-
onesies, infant clothing
-
rattles, infant toys, teething toys
-
baby thermometers
-
baby monitors
-
cribs, strollers, swings
Comfort Kit (gifts for special occasions, birthdays or to provide comfort during periods of transition)
-
duffel bags, backpacks or small suitcases
-
cozy blankets and fun/soft pillows
-
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush etc.)
-
reusable water bottles
-
pajamas and socks (all ages)
-
child/adult activity i.e.colouring book/pencil crayons, puzzles
-
gift cards for Tim Hortons, Subway, McDonalds, etc.
Personal Care Kit (Items for youth age 16 and older)
-
hair clipper/beard trimmer kits
-
nail care kits
-
hair dryers/straighteners
-
teen packs
-
toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush/paste, deodorant etc.)
-
socks and PJs (all ages/genders)
-
wireless earbuds/headphones
-
wireless speakers
-
wallets
-
cozy blankets
Education Kits (Junior Kindergarten to postsecondary)
-
backpacks
-
locks, locker accessories
-
reusable water bottles
-
reusable food containers
-
Ziplock bags
-
pencils, pens, highlighters
-
markers, pencil crayons, crayons
-
lined paper, binders, dividers
-
pencils cases
Thank you,
The Staff and Physicians at BIrchtree Family Medicine
FLU Vaccine Drop-In Clinic - Wednesday, November 8, 2023 (Posted Nov. 7/23)
Dear Patient,
We will be conducting another flu vaccine clinic this week, on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 2pm to 4:30pm.
If you would like to obtain your flu vaccine, please drop in on Wednesday. You do not require an appointment for these vaccines.
This clinic will be for flu vaccines only - we do have both high-dose and regular doses available. As a reminder, if this is a first-time flu vaccine for a child less than 9 years old, we will need to book again for a booster vaccine in 4 weeks.
Please bring your up-to-date health card and be mindful to wear clothing that can be easily removed/pulled aside for vaccines in the upper arm.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (905) 637-8833. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
All the best,
The Staff and Physicians at Birchtree Family Medicine
Flu and Covid Vaccine Drop-In Clinic - Thursday, November 2 (Posted Oct. 31/23)
Dear Patient,
We now have our full shipment of regular and high-dose flu vaccines available in the office. We also have a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the office.
We will be running an indoor drop-in clinic on Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. You do not require an appointment for these vaccines.
High-dose flu vaccines are indicated for anyone 65 years and older. Regular-dose flu vaccines are available for anyone 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccines are available for anyone 6 months of age and older, provided it has been at least 3 months since a prior vaccine or infection and at least 2 weeks since an RSV vaccine. There is no minimum time interval between flu and COVID vaccines, they can be given on the same day, in the same arm.
Please bring your up-to-date health card and be mindful to wear clothing that can be easily removed/pulled aside for vaccines in the upper arm. If you receive a COVID-19 vaccine, we will ask that you remain in the clinic for 15 minutes to ensure you do not have any reaction to the vaccine.
If you have a previously scheduled appointment this week for another issue, we will be able to provide your vaccines at that appointment. Pending availability, we may offer another drop-in clinic in the upcoming weeks - we will send an email with this information.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at (905) 637-8833.
All the best,
The Staff and Physicians at Birchtree Family Medicine
COVID VACCINE CLINIC THIS SATURDAY (Posted Oct. 20/23)
Dear Patient,
We have a limited shipment of the new Covid Vaccines (Moderna Spikevax XBB.1.5) available. Please see below for qualifying criteria. If you qualify for a vaccine at this time you can come to our office between 8am-11am this Saturday (Oct 21, 2023). You do not need to call to book an appointment. We will be running on a first come first serve basis. ***Please note that that vaccine needs to be spaced two weeks apart from the RSV vaccine, 6 months from your last COVID vaccination and at least 3 months from your last COVID infection. Our supply is limited. We will continue to update you as more become available and the criteria expands. In an effort to keep everyone healthy, we very much want you to get vaccinated.
At the time, you can receive a vaccine if:
Resident or staff of a long-term care/retirement home
Pregnant
65 year old or more
All children 6 months to 4 years old
Individuals from a First Nation, Inuit or Metis community or who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Metis and their household members
Individuals 6 months of age or older with underlying health conditions
Members of racialized and other equity-deserving communities
Health care workers and first responders
*As per Halton Public Health: vaccines will be available to the general public on Oct 30, 2023.
This is the first time running a clinic in this format inside. If we get busy, please be patient. We expect everyone to be masked, even in the hallways and avoid crowding. Please respect that this clinic is for vaccinations only. You will not be able to ask ANY other medical questions about issues not related to the vaccine.
At this time we are OUT OF FLU SHOTS. However, if you have already booked an appointment one has been set aside for you. We will let you know when we get more.
We do have a new supply of RSV vaccine. Please call to book for these.
Sincerely,
The Staff and Doctors at Birchtree Family Medicine
Flu/Covid/RSV Vaccines (Posted Oct. 20/23)
Dear Patient,
As we head into the colder months, we know there are many questions about vaccine availability. Please see below for more information.
FLU VACCINES
Public Health has given us an extremely limited number of vaccines. We expect to receive our large shipment at the end of October. We will likely have an outdoor clinic once this shipment is received. We hope this clinic will be the same ‘drive-through’ style we have done in the past. Please stay tuned for an email regarding this clinic information.
At this time, you can call to book a flu shot in our clinic. There are very limited doses available and once they are gone, unfortunately, we will have to await our next shipment before offering any more.
-
High dose vaccine: you must be age 65 or older to receive a high dose vaccine
-
Regular dose: age 6 months and older. ** If it is a first time flu vaccine and the patient is 9 years old or younger, a second booster dose is needed 4 weeks later.
COVID VACCINES
At this time there are select individuals who qualify for a COVID booster vaccine. These vaccines are only available through Public Health clinics currently, we do NOT have these vaccines in our clinic at this time. Please go to halton.ca to book.
We have placed an order for the newest COVID vaccine which will offer protection for the strain we expect to be most prevalent this season. We highly recommend that everyone who is eligible go ahead with this vaccine. You can receive the COVID vaccine on the same day as your flu shot. We are hoping to receive the COVID vaccine in time to coordinate with our flu shot clinic in November, so again, please stay tuned for more information regarding this.
You are eligible NOW for a COVID vaccine if you meet any of the following criteria:
-
Residents and staff of congregate living settings (e.g., chronic care facilities, retirement homes)
-
Pregnant individuals
-
Individuals ≥ 65 years of age
-
All children 6 months to 4 years of age (due to influenza risk)
-
Individuals who are from a First Nation, Inuit or Métis community, and/or who self-identify as First Nation, Inuit, or Métis, and their household members
-
Individuals 6 months of age or older who have underlying health conditions as per NACI
-
Members of racialized and other equity deserving communities
-
Health care workers and first responders
RSV VACCINES
This vaccine is for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease in adults 60 years and older. We were initially hopeful that the government would fund this vaccine. It does not look like that will be the case. The vaccine is a single dose. The cost is $275. If you would like this vaccine, please call our office to book for it. You should be able to submit your receipt to your private insurance but please check with your provider.
***We also want to stress how many cases of COVID we are seeing in our patients. The virus is very much present in our community. Please mask, especially in crowded settings or when traveling. For some, the symptoms of COVID may be mild but for others, the impact is severe. We have also seen first hand that long COVID can be life changing. Please be careful.
As always, masks are mandatory in our clinic. Please bring one to your appointment. We do not provide masks.
Below are handouts/links on how to manage fevers and viral infections:
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P5325E.pdf
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/p6251.aspx#Table-of-contents
https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/resources-and-support/resources/P5327E.pdf
Yours sincerely,
The Staff and Physicians at Birchtree Family Medicine
February Update (Posted Feb. 21/23)
Now that we are officially into 2023, we wanted to update you on a few clinic changes and review office policies. Additionally, the provincial government has made changes in the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) guidance for primary care and its rules for the provision of OHIP services by doctors in the province. These changes are outlined below.
Online appointment booking - we are implementing Pomelo, a platform that will allow you to book non urgent appointments online. While you will still be able to call the office and book appointments by phone, we are hopeful that this system will reduce overall call volumes and allow you easier access by phone for urgent issues. Please watch for upcoming emails with details and a link to enroll. Future emails will also be sent using Pomelo so please register as soon as you receive the email on how to do so (coming in the next 1-2 weeks).
Pharmacist Prescribing - Ontario is now allowing pharmacists to dispense medications for certain issues without a prescription. As your physicians, we have mixed feelings about this. We understand the desire to access something that may reduce symptoms as easily as possible. However, we worry that pharmacies will not have access to your medical history to make appropriate decisions to protect your health. Medications heal, but they can also harm. We worry that serious diagnoses may be missed or that pharmacies cannot adequately perform tests to diagnose serious conditions. We respect our pharmacist colleagues and greatly appreciate their assistance in managing your medications, however, their training is not the same as a physician. Please be careful if you choose to use this new option.
Walk-in Clinic Use - As a patient in our family health organization, it is your obligation to NOT use other unaffiliated walk-in clinics for your primary medical care. You can review the contract you signed stating this on our website. The provincial government has designed our system this way and this is how they want you to access medical care. It is also important for patient safety as walk-in clinics do not have access to your medical history.
We currently offer urgent appointments during the day Monday - Friday, evening urgent clinics Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5-8pm. We are also now open Saturdays for urgent issues from 9-12pm. The issues seen at these appointments must be medically urgent.
We are aware of how busy we are. We are doing everything we can to get everyone seen in an appropriate time frame. With that in mind, PLEASE do not see a walk-in clinic if we have already booked you in the next 1-2 days for the same issue. This is a duplication of resources and often creates confusion around treatment. If we are seeing you in the upcoming day, please don’t use the walk-in the night before (or the morning of) and then see us to ‘check the diagnosis’. We know you or your children may be uncomfortable with symptoms at home. If you are worried, please call us and express the need to be seen earlier. We will accommodate this if appropriate. We always work to get all patients, especially children, seen on the same day.
Virtual Care
Virtual care is here to stay but comes with certain criteria for care. Phone appointments, although allowed, are not encouraged in many circumstances. Virtual care is reserved for patients who have been in the office within the past 2 years, and only if appropriate for the medical concern.
OHIP Uninsured services and Block Billing Program - Please see attached our updated list of fees for services not covered by OHIP. As of March 2023, we will no longer be offering a block billing program. For those who have already opted into Block Billing, we will honour your subscription for the rest of the year following your payment but we will no longer be offering this as an option for patients.
Prescription Renewal Requests - Please have your pharmacy fax your renewal request. Please try to give your doctor enough time to process renewals as she may need to order blood work or set up an appointment with you. Renewals take time for your doctor to review your chart and communicate with the pharmacy and this service is NOT covered by OHIP. As such, a renewal without a formal appointment will incur a $20 fee (this charge is endorsed by the Ontario Medical Association). We need enough time to book you an appointment and provide prescriptions, so do not leave this until the last minute. As a note, pharmacists can renew routine prescriptions, but also at a cost to the patient.
Payment Method - As you have likely read in the news, credit cards incur a charge to the merchant. As such, there will be a 1.4% surcharge to use a credit card in our office. We will now accept E-transfers to birchtreefammed@gmail.com to help avoid this fee. E-transfers are set to auto-deposit.
Please also note that masks are still required in our office at all times. This is to help protect our vulnerable patients.
We hope that 2023 brings you joy and good health.
Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff at Birchtree Family Medicine
Fees for Uninsured Services
Prescription Renewal (by phone/fax) $20
Sick/Return to Work/Daycare/School Note $25
Massage/Physio/Chiropractor/Orthotic Note $25
Missed Appointment or More than 15 minutes Late for Appointment $50-75
Removal of Benign (Cosmetic) Skin Lesion (Per lesion)
Punch/Shave Removal $50
Removal of Benign (Cosmetic) Skin Lesion (Per lesion) Sutures Required $150
Liquid Nitrogen for Warts/Skin Tags (Per lesion) *some warts are OHIP covered $30
Driver’s Physical $150
Camp/Fitness/School Forms (requiring exam) $125
Photocopy (per page) $1
Physician Review of Records Hourly Rate
Jury Duty Letter $25
Travel Cancellation Forms $35
Auto Accident Insurance Forms $150
Children’s Aid Forms $50
Forms Required for Volunteer Work $25
Citizenship and Immigration Report $50
Forms Required for Weight Loss Programs $50
Replacement of Yellow Immunization Certificate $50
TB Skin Test $45 (one step), $90 (two-step)
Federal Disability Tax Credit Application $150
Disability Report/Insurance Forms, Legal Reports OMA Rate
Transfer of Chart/Records $50+cost of mailing
Rebooking of Missed Specialist Appointment/Re-Referral $25
Replacement of Lost/Misplaced Prescriptions/Requisitions $25
Specialist Referral Without Appointment (At Physician’s Discretion) $25
Rush Fee on Forms (At Physician’s Discretion, 48-72 hours) $50
Out-of-Pocket Disbursements (Canada Post/Express Post) At Cost
Pap (if not OHIP covered) $50
Attending Physician Statement (APS) $150
*Subject to fee modification based on required information
CAS Fundraiser and Holiday Hours (Posted Dec. 12/22)
We apologize for the unexpected closure this past Thursday and Friday. It is now clear that the notification failed to reach you. We will resume regular hours Saturday, Dec 10 with our urgent clinic running from 9 am-12. Please call first thing at 9 am for an appointment (urgent issues only).
Holiday Fundraising program. We especially apologize to those of you attempting to drop off items for the Children’s Aid Program. We have extended the date to this Monday. For those patients who took donations directly to CAS, thank you!
Holiday hours are as follows:
*Dec 28,29,30: urgent appointments
Friday, Dec 23: 8-12
Saturday, Dec 24: closed
Sunday, Dec 25: closed
Monday, Dec 26: closed
Tuesday, Dec 27: closed
Wednesday, Dec 28: 8-3
Thursday, Dec 29: 8-3
Friday, Dec 30: 8-1
Saturday, Dec 31: closed
Sunday, Jan 1: closed
Monday, Jan 2: closed
Tuesday, Jan 3: 730-8 (regular hours resume)
We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Please continue to be mindful of taking precautions against the many viruses out there, especially for our pediatric patients. Our hospitals are well beyond capacity, emergency wait times are at an all-time high and family doctors can not keep up with the volume of sick patients. We are trying our best and the physicians have added in as many hours as possible. For those of you who have been contacted and agreed to push back your non-urgent appointments so we can fit in more sick kids; THANK YOU! Please be patient with wait times this winter. We have to prioritize as many of the sick children as we can to keep them out of hospitals and emergency rooms. We are all going to have to work together to make it through this winter. During the mandatory building closures over the holidays please find information on the management of fever and viral symptoms in children on our website.
Happy holidays and please stay safe.
Doctors Jackman, Johnson, Jones and Yang
Holiday Fundraiser (Posted Nov. 28/22)
Annual Holiday Fundraiser
It’s that time of year again! For those patients new to the practice, every year we work with Halton Children’s Aid to support local children and teens in need. COVID has changed how we run the program, but this year we are a bit closer to normal. Giftcards, comfort kits, life start kits, and cash donations can be dropped off at the clinic or called into our front desk. We realize many families are struggling financially this year and expect we will receive fewer donations. Please never feel an obligation to participate. If you are able to donate the deadline is Dec 9th.
2022 Holiday Dreams Community Giving Program
Help make HOLIDAY DREAMS come true for vulnerable children, youth
and families receiving services through Halton Children’s Aid.
***ITEMS MUST BE NEW***
Financial Gifts
During the holiday season, financial donations support families and youth living independently.
Here are examples of what your donation can provide.
$25 = stuffed holiday stocking
$50 = age-appropriate gift for a child or youth
$75 = toiletries (includes face cloth and towel)
$100 = warm clothing (winter coats, boots, hat)
$150 = Comfort Kit—items for children, teens, and young adults who may be separated from their families, providing immediate needs and comfort during difficult transitions
$200 = groceries—small family
$400 = groceries—large family
$500 = Life Start Kit—items for youth transitioning from foster care to independent living
containing items needed to set up their new home
Gift Card Donations
Gift cards help families and youth feel empowered and provide the experience of selecting their own special items. We are in need of gift cards in increments of $25 to $50 for:
Walmart
Grocery stores
Pre-paid Visa and MasterCard
Amazon
Shoppers Drug Mart
Best Buy
Comfort Kits (items needed)
Start with a duffel bag or small travel bag and fill it with:
a cozy blanket and a fun/soft pillow
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush)
socks and PJs (all ages/genders)
reusable water bottle
child/adult coloring book/pencil crayons
$10 to $20 gift card for Tim Hortons, Subway, Mcdonald's, etc.
Life Start Kits (items needed)
Start with a laundry hamper(s) or basket(s) and fill it with:
tea towels and dishcloths
drinking glasses and mugs
cutlery and dishes
saucepans and cookie sheets
kettle and toaster
mixing bowls and chopping boards
kitchen utensils and measuring cups
colander and reusable food containers
can opener and cheese grater
bath and hand towels
soft blanket and pillows
comforter and sheets (all sizes needed)
broom and mop
other items to consider—hair clipper kits, nail kits, hair dryers, hair straighteners, bluetooth speakers, toiletries, etc.
Personal Care Kit (Items for youth, 16 and older) (*most popular) Start with a basket, duffel bag, or backpack and fill it with any items listed below:
*wireless air buds / wireless speaker
*hair clipper/beard trimmer kits
nail care kit
hair dryer, hair straightener
*teen pack and toiletries
socks and PJs (all ages/genders)
wallet
*shaker bottles / reusable water bottles
cozy blanket
Welcome Kit (for a newborn and mom)
Start with a laundry hamper or basket and fill it with any items listed below:
gift card for Walmart or Babies R Us
diapers, baby wipes, washcloths
cotton receiving blanket, baby blanket
diaper bag
nursing items (pads, pump, pillow)
onesies
rattle, teething toy
Yours truly,
Drs Johnson, Jackman, Jones, and Yang