Other Medically-Related Issues During COVID-19
Many patients have had questions about issues relating to their medical care during COVID-19. We have summarized some of the common concerns here. If your issue cannot be found on this list, please contact our office.
Bloodwork and other lab tests
We are now advising patients to resume their regular bloodwork. Observe physical distancing, frequent handwashing or sanitizing, and consider wearing a mask during your lab visit. To make your visit even quicker, consider booking an appointment or checking in and saving your spot in line before even leaving your house - visit the Lifelabs website for more information.
We can email your requisition to you, but require an updated email address and your consent.
We can also fax your requisition to LifeLabs, however LifeLabs can take 48 horus to process faxed paperwork so you will have to delay your bloodwork for at least this period. If you need urgent bloodwork, we will either email you the requisition to print yourself, or will ask that you visit the hospital lab as they do not have processing delays.
Imaging tests
X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan and others
Most imaging tests have been resumed in the province. If you are going in for an imaging test, observe physical distancing, frequent handwashing or sanitizing, and consider wearing a mask during your visit.
Requisitions for x-rays will need to be emailed to you, as these are not being accepted by fax at the outpatient imaging clinics (i.e. Valley Medical Imaging). Please ensure we have the most updated email address, and that you have given us consent to use it.
Sick notes
The Minister of Health, BC's Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, and the BC Government Employee's Union have asked employers to drop the requirement for a doctor's note, if an employee is experiencing symptoms and/or has to self-isolate due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with this recommendation, and in light of our high volume of patient visits and phone calls, we will not be able to provide COVID-19-related sick notes to patients at this time.
Please find these recommendations linked below.
https://globalnews.ca/news/6656465/bcgeu-calls-on-all-employers-to-drop-doctors-note-requirement-amid-covid-19-scare/
Please refer your employer to this page of our website for our policy, or print this document produced by BC Family Doctors.
Forms
Please call our office at 604-888-2433 and ask our staff for our office email address to send in forms. We can also email completed forms back to you.
If you do not have email capability, please call our office for assistance at 604-888-2433.
Driver’s Medical Examinations
RoadSafetyBC has started requesting driver medical assessments again. Please note these appointments take at least 30 minutes and have an associated fee, and cannot simply be added on to an existing appointment that is booked for a different issue.