Category: Alerts

PRIVACY NOTICE
FOR
WINTERBERRY FAMILY MEDICINE FHG


How We Protect Your Privacy 
We handle and protect your personal health information in accordance with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and any other laws that we are required to follow.  We provide training, follow established policies, and take other steps to ensure that our staff and anyone else acting on our behalf protects your privacy.

Collection, Use, and Disclosure of Personal Health Information 
Your request for care from us implies consent for our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal health information for the following purposes: 
to provide and assist in the provision of health care to you through our services, programs, and facilities; 
to get payment for health care and any related goods and services provided to you, including from OHIP, your private insurer, WSIB, and others as necessary;
to plan, administer, and manage the operation of our services, programs, and facilities;
to manage risk and improve the quality and safety of our services and programs; 
to educate or train our agents to provide health care; 
to conduct research activities as approved by a research ethics board; 
to comply with legal and regulatory requirements; and, 
to fulfill other purposes that are permitted or required by law.

From time to time, we may communicate about your care with your other health care providers, including collecting, using, and disclosing your personal health information through electronic medical information systems (sometimes called electronic health records, eHealth records, electronic medical records, etc.).  If you would like more information about the electronic medical information systems we use, please speak with our Privacy Contact.

Any uses of your personal health information other than those mentioned above would require your express consent.

Your Rights and Choices 
PHIPA provides you with certain rights related to your personal health information under our custody or control.  Please communicate with our Privacy Contact for more information related to your rights: 
to see and get a copy of your personal health information;
to ask us to make corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal health information;
to withdraw your consent to our collection and use of your personal health information or its disclosure to other health care providers (subject to certain legal obligations); and,
to be informed if your personal health information is lost, stolen or improperly accessed.

Our Privacy Contact
For more information or to raise a concern about our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Contact: 


Name:  Krysta Simoes
Phone:  905-517-8233
Email:  krysta.simoes@winterberrymedical.ca
Mailing Address:  2C-35 Upper Centennial Pkwy
Stoney Creek, ON  L8J 3W2 

The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario is responsible for making sure that privacy law is followed in Ontario.  For more information about your privacy rights, or if you are unable to resolve an issue directly with our Privacy Contact and wish to make a complaint, contact: 


Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON   M4W 1A8
Email:  info@ipc.on.ca  
Toll Free:  1-800-387-0073
TDD/TTY:  416-325-7539

At Winterberry we are here to help you live your best life and that includes preparing you for weather events.

At this time of year, our attention turns to preparing you for extreme heat.

Although anyone can experience heat stress, the associated health risks are greatest for those over the age of 65, infants and young children, people with chronic conditions such as breathing or heart problems, and for those who work or exercise in the heat. Fortunately, heat-related illnesses are preventable.

Below is reliable information you can trust to help you “weather” our next heat event!

Find out how to keep cool and stay safe when temperatures rise.

Pay attention to heat warnings which inform you that an extreme heat event is forecasted or occurring.

Prepare your emergency kits. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away at no cost

Make a household emergency plan that considers ways to prepare for extreme heat. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with additional health needs

Arrange for regular wellness check-ins or visits in person (or by phone or virtually) several times daily by family, neighbours, or friends

Many local governments offer relief strategies such as cooling centres, extended pool hours, or transportation services during extreme heat events. Check with your city or municipality to learn more

Be aware of your personal risk to extreme heat. Ask a health professional, such as a pharmacist, physician, or nurse practitioner how medications or health conditions may make you more susceptible to the heat

Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and which groups are more at-risk for heat-related illness

During extreme heat events, people may spend more time outdoors. Be aware of extreme heat combined with humidity, wildfire smoke, and sun exposure

If you have an air conditioner, make sure it works properly

If you do not have an air conditioner, consider other ways to keep your home cool such as blocking the sun by closing awnings, curtains or blinds during the day. Opening windows may be advisable if the temperature outdoors is lower than indoors, while being mindful of any outdoor air quality warnings

When your home gets too hot, take advantage of public cooling centers or air-conditioned spaces that you can visit during heat events

If it is safe to do so, leave a couple of windows open at night to take advantage of falling temperatures

It is important to slow down, drink water, and stay cool during an extreme heat event because your body can’t function as well in high temperatures. Whether you are indoors or outdoors during extreme heat, you can protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat.

Stay in an air-conditioned space or in the shade as much as possible

Stay hydrated and dress for the weather by wearing lightweight, light-coloured, and loose-fitting clothing

Pay attention to how you, and those around you feel and watch for signs and symptoms of heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Never leave people (especially children) or pets inside a parked vehicle, even on a moderately hot day

Check on older adult family members, neighbours, and friends to make sure they are comfortable and safe

Remember that indoor temperatures can remain warm, even after outdoor temperatures cool down. Continue monitoring the temperature of your home and watching for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness in yourself and others. If you experienced a heat-related illness during the heat event, consult with your health care provider to prepare for future heat events.

Source: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/xtrm-ht-prp-en.aspx

Our online booking system is up and running.

At Winterberry our highest priority is the health and safety of our community, our patients and our healthcare team. That’s why, effective immediately we will be limiting in-office visits due to the severe contagiousness of the COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

If your symptoms or condition require an in-office visit, we ask for your patience and understanding as we find you an available appointment time.

Where possible, we will offer you virtual medical consultations which give you the same high level of personal attention and allow you to stay safely at home.

And please, remember that booking your medical appointments at Winterberry is easy when you use your private online Patient Portal. Visit our Existing Patients webpage to create a new account or log into an existing one. We look forward to see you online soon!

At Winterberry Family Medicine helping you live your best life is our priority. Part of that promise is keeping you up-to-date on changes and improvements in the clinic. That is why we are launching our Clinic Status page. It uses a simple Red, Yellow, Green colour code so you know our capacity, phone hold times, appointment availability and our ability to welcome new patients.