As of July 1, 2020, we are so excited to let you know that several of the practitioners from Forces of Nature Wellness Clinic will be moving to Lawrence Park Health Clinic. Dr. Pamela Frank (naturopathic doctor), Dr. Rachel Vong (naturopathic doctor), Joy Walraven (acupuncturist), and Peggy Jamali (osteopath) are now treating patients at Lawrence Park Health Clinic.
Due to their convenience and popularity, virtual appointments will continue to be available for new patients and existing patients.
In-office appointments require mandatory screening prior to booking the appointment and upon arrival. Any patient with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the clinic and will be referred for testing.
Provided you pass the screening, you will be required to wear a mask in the clinic and to wash your hands as soon as you come in. Please bring your own mask, if possible.
We ask that you not bring any additional people with you to your appointment unless it is absolutely essential. Additional visitors will also need to pass screening before they will be allowed to enter. Our staff and practitioners will be wearing masks while in the clinic, as well as additional PPE where appropriate. There will be increased sanitation and disinfecting of all furniture, tables, and surfaces and very limited seating in our waiting room.
Please maintain physical distance (2 meters) from other people at all times while in the clinic.
We will be maintaining a roster of anyone who enters the clinic for contact tracing in the event that we later learn that someone who was in the clinic tested positive.
Here are the measures that we have in place to protect ourselves and our patients:
- There is signage at our front door for patients to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19. If they answer yes to any of these questions, we ask that they do not enter the clinic. The Government of Ontario recommends the following self-assessment:
Are you feeling unwell with any of the following symptoms:
- Fever, new cough or difficulty breathing (or a combination of these symptoms)?
- Muscle aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose or diarrhea? Symptoms in young children may also be non-specific (for example, lethargy, poor feeding).
Have you experienced any of the following:
- Have you traveled outside of Canada in the last 14 days?
- Does someone you are in close contact with have COVID-19 (for example, someone in your household or workplace)?
- Are you in close contact with a person who is sick with respiratory symptoms (for example, fever, cough or difficulty breathing) who recently traveled outside of Canada?
If you answered yes to these questions, you should seek clinical assessment for COVID-19 over the phone.
The majority of COVID-19 illnesses are mild. A clinician can help guide whether you will require further care or potential testing in person. Please use one of the following options:
- Contact your primary care provider (for example, your family doctor). Let them know that you have used this self-assessment tool.
- Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 and speak with a registered nurse. Let them know that you have used this self-assessment tool.
We have signs throughout the clinic about COVID-19 prevention. We recommend Social Distancing of at least 2 meters, regular handwashing for at least 20 seconds, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve rather than your hand, avoid touching your face and stay home if you are sick.
There are detailed instructions for proper handwashing in the washroom.
We are using the following disinfectants on a regular basis throughout the clinic each day: bleach spray, alcohol wipes, and hand sanitizer. We wipe down all surfaces that patients contact after every patient, including doorknobs, the credit card terminal, the keyboards, handrails and anywhere else that people touch. When appropriate we use gloves and N95 masks.
Our practitioners who can see patients virtually are doing so where appropriate.
In the clinic, we wash our hands before and after every patient for at least 20 seconds using proper technique and we stay at least 2 meters away from patients when possible.
Any patient who is ill, but does not meet the criteria for COVID-19 is being kept isolated in one of our little-used treatment rooms, just in case.
We will leave hand sanitizing materials at our front door for everyone to use when they enter and leave.
No handshakes or elbow bumps, as even elbow bumps require being too close.
We emailed all of our patients with a valid email address over the weekend offering the option of virtual visits with those of us who can do them.
We are advising any of our patients who are ill or who have a compromised immune system or who are in close proximity with someone who does have, to delay their visit.
Please Note: As per our government regulations, our naturopathic doctors and other wellness professionals cannot diagnose, test for or treat COVID-19. If you suspect that you may have it, please call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 for instructions.
If there are any other suggestions or measures that we can put in place for your safety or the safety of our staff and practitioners, please let us know by emailing Maria.
Be well and stay safe, everyone. We’ll get through this together.
By Dr. Pamela Frank, BSc(Hons), Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Pamela has practiced as a naturopathic doctor in Toronto since 1999. She has received numerous “Best Naturopath in Toronto” awards. She is registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
Dr. Pamela Frank uses a natural treatment approach that may include acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, diet, vitamins, supplements, and other natural remedies to restore balance and provide long-term resolution to almost any health problem.