WELCOME TO

Fort Family Practice

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 Announcements


BC has introduced at-home self-screening for cervical cancer.

This is an alternative to the traditional Pap test done at your doctor’s office, and can be done in the comfort of your own home.

This is available to individuals between the ages 25-69, who have a cervix (including women and non-binary individuals), and who have not had a Pap test in the last 3 years. It is NOT recommended if you have abnormal symptoms relating to your pelvic organs, are pregnant, use a pessary, or have had your cervix removed (ie. a hysterectomy).

If you wish to continue with Pap tests, you may continue to do so.

For more information, click on the following link: www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/cervix/changes-to-cervix-screening


Same-day urgent appointments, both by phone and in-person, are available daily.

Please call the office as early as 8:30 am to book an urgent appointment, as they are first-come, first-serve. These are reserved for acute medical conditions, and are not appropriate for follow up of chronic issues, medication refills, or longer visits such as ICBC or WorkSafe assessments.


Dr. Aquino will be away for 2 weeks in March for an urgent family issue.

This is pushing her waitlist to longer than (already long) usual. Please consider booking with Dr. Raff who frequently works Tuesdays already, and will be covering her practice for the two weeks in March that she will be away. Thank you for understanding.


We are not currently accepting any new patients. For assistance finding a new family physician, register with the Health Connect Registry online at www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-connect-registry or calling 8-1-1.

After Hours Care

We’d like to tell you about a pilot service we’re trying out for our REGISTERED patients.
It is not available to the general public.

For emergencies, call 9-1-1 or visit the hospital Emergency Department.

If you have an urgent issue that requires medical care when our clinic is closed, you can now get that from the After Hours Care service.

When you call our clinic, you will be connected to the after hours care service. A care team will assess your health concern and when appropriate, a family doctor will call you back. To support continuity of care, notes from your call will be added to your medical record and your family doctor will follow up when appropriate.

The after hours care service is available evenings, weekends, and holidays when our clinic is closed, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. It provides our REGISTERED patients with urgent care for non-life threatening health concerns that need same-day attention. These could include:

• Fever above 38°C.

• Rash, sores, wounds, minor burns, or insect bites.

• Dizziness, or unusual headaches.

• Stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.

• Pain while peeing, or blood in your poop.

• Chest or sinus congestion, cough, sore throat.

• Ear pain, or issues with your hearing.

The After Hours Care program does not provide prescription refills, sick notes, counselling, or crisis care.

The After Hours Care program is a pilot program that Doctors of BC and HealthLinkBC are testing for six months. Learn more at www.fpscbc.ca/ahc.

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In-Office Visits

We are currently offering in office-visits, but virtual and telephone visits continue to be available.
Please clarify which type of visit you are being booked for.

We are asking all patients coming for in office visits to wear medical masks again, for the protection other patients and our medical team. Medical masks are available at our front desk.

Please do not come more than 5 minutes early for your appointment. We are trying to minimize the number of patients in our waiting room.

If you are sick, particularly with fever or respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), please inform our staff before the appointment either by phone or using the speakerphone in our building so we can prepare appropriately.

Please sanitize or wash your hands at every opportunity. There will be access to hand-washing supplies throughout the office.

Our office COVID-19 Safety Plan can be viewed by clicking on this link.

Childhood Vaccinations

Childhood 2, 4, and 6 month vaccinations are available by appointment with our nurses.

Your child will be booked to see their family physician at the same appointment.

For 12 and 18 month vaccinations, please contact your local Public Health office.

 
 

Vaccine Updates

Flu vaccines are available by appointment with our nurses. Please call the office to book.


Our office does NOT administer any COVID vaccines at this time.
Call 1-833-838-2323 or visit https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/ to book a vaccination.

Our office carries the Pneumovax vaccine - covered by MSP for patients over 65, and for patients with certain medical conditions under the age of 65. Please contact our office if you think you may be eligible but have not had any doses yet.

Our nurses can administer private-pay vaccines such as shingles (Shingrix), HPV (Gardasil), and pneumonia (Prevnar 20). These require a prescription from your doctor, and you will have to bring the vaccine to our office.