Shea Heights Clinic

NOTICE: The Shea Heights Community Health Centre is closed for today, Friday June 28 to allow for essential electrical work. We will also be closed on Monday for the Memorial/Canada Day holiday. Clinics will resume as scheduled on Tuesday July 2.
A reminder that there is a Family Physician on call for limited hours on the weekend. To speak to them, phone the clinic and listen to the directions in the message.
On behalf of all of the clinic staff, have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Norah Duggan

Food On The Move is coming to Shea Heights on Thursday, May 2nd
11:00 am - 1:00 pm at Shea Heights Community Centre.

Produce items are $2 each or try 3 items for a $5 deal

NL Public Libraries will also be offering books, media, library cards, and other services with !

This is a great opportunity for free online group grief counselling.

Starting June 4th, we will be offering a FREE Grief Group. See details below!

If you prefer individual counselling and are looking for a supportive space to share your experiences and learn coping strategies, please reach out to book a session by emailing [email protected].

Due the storm the clinic is closed for the day. Virtual (phone) appointments will go ahead as scheduled so please answer those “no caller ID” calls if you have a phone appointment booked! Stay safe and warm everyone!

Information for patients of Shea Heights Community Health Centre:
1) We are actively searching for a Family Physician to fill Dr. Darcy’s position at the clinic
2) We are actively seeking a locum family Physician to cover Dr. Darcy’s practice until we are able to recruit a permanent FP
3) None of the current physicians have the ability to take Dr. Darcy’s patients in our practices.
4) We may be able to see some of Dr. Darcy’s patients in the short term for urgent issues.
5) Please check with your pharmacy before booking an appointment for prescriptions. You may have remaining prescriptions available. Also, your pharmacist can refill most prescriptions at no cost to you, for up to a year.
6) Dr. Darcy’s patients’ lab results and reports are being reviewed by the physicians in the clinic. If there is a concern you will be called or booked for an appointment if there is a reason to see you urgently.
7) No routine forms will be completed for Dr. Darcy’s patients. We are not able to book appointments for form completion.
8) If you have not done so, please register on Patient Connect (https://patientconnect.nlchi.nl.ca/) to get on the wait list for a new Family Physician if we are unable to recruit anyone.
9) Other temporary measures include:
a. Walk-in clinics: 50 Mundy Pond Road and 360 Blackmarsh Road
b. Your pharmacist may be able to provide advice and treatment for some ailments
c. 811
d. If you are unwell, the emergency rooms are still an option for urgent and emergency issues.
Please understand that we do want to keep all of our patients in this practice and do not want to say no to anyone. We are working our hardest to fix this situation, but the reality is that there is a shortage of Family Physicians in the entire country, so we are doing our best in a tough situation.
Please be kind and understanding to the front office staff. They are not responsible for this situation and are also doing their best. They are following the directions they have been given and are unable to change it. Disrespectful or abusive behavior towards the staff or physicians will not be tolerated. This includes in person, on the telephone or on social media. This behavior may be grounds for permanent dismissal from the practice. (https://cpsnl.ca/wp-content/uploads/Standards-and-Guidelines/Ending-the-Physician-Patient-Relationship.pdf)
Thanks for your understanding. Hopefully we will have good news soon.

Sincerely,
Norah Duggan
Clinic Lead
Shea Heights Community Health Centre

Keeping kids and youth active!!

A big thank you to the Shea Heights community for recognizing Dr Darcy at the community supper tonight for all of his contributions over the past 12 years. They presented him with a beautiful watch. Happy retirement Dr Darcy! You’ll be missed.

Wishing the one and only, Dr. Darcy, our staple of testosterone in the Shea Heights Clinic (🤣), a well deserved retirement after “many” years in practice. We will miss you and the endless patient care and mentorship that you have provided to oh so many!! We hope that you will enjoy every minute of the next chapter in your life! Don’t be a stranger 🥰

Our clinic would like to respectfully acknowledge the tragedy that occurred yesterday. Many families of our community are currently experiencing that loss in various ways. Coping with a devastating loss can be assisted by leaning on those around you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your care provider if you need us. We are here.

Additionally, the NL mental health crisis line (dial 811) is available for support as well 24/7.

UPDATE: We now have a temporary medical secretary joining us for the rest of the week. Please welcome Shelby and please be patient as she has to learn all of our systems and schedules as well as keep up with all the tasks. Thanks again to the community for your understanding.

Important announcement for clinic patients: We have no office staff for the next few days. When you arrive for your appointment, please take a seat and your doctor/nurse will call you in. Unfortunately the phones will not be answered for the time being. Thanks for your patience and understanding during this short term issue.

The physicians, nurses and staff at the clinic are concerned regarding the potential effects of the excessive heat and humidity on the members of our community, especially seniors, young children and anyone with chronic health conditions. Please check on your family and neighbors to ensure they are feeling well. We have attached several resources to help you stay safe in the heat. If you have no where to get out of the heat, we are offering our waiting room as a cooling off space this afternoon from 1:30-4:00 PM. We can only accommodate 10-15 people, but if you feel overheated please come in for a while. We also have cold water on hand. Stay cool and hydrated!

Fact Sheet: Staying Healthy in the Heat - Canada.ca Fact Sheet: Staying Healthy in the Heat

The physicians, nurses and staff at the clinic are concerned regarding the potential effects of the excessive heat and humidity on the members of our community, especially seniors, young children and anyone with chronic health conditions. Please check on your family and neighbors to ensure they are feeling well. We have attached several resources to help you stay safe in the heat. If you have no where to get out of the heat, we are offering our waiting room as a cooling off space this afternoon from 1:30-4:00 PM. We can only accommodate 10-15 people, but if you feel overheated please come in for a while. We also have cold water on hand. Stay cool and hydrated!

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/fact-sheet-staying-healthy-heat.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/fact-sheet-staying-healthy-heat.html

Fact Sheet: Staying Healthy in the Heat - Canada.ca Fact Sheet: Staying Healthy in the Heat

Dr. Avery will be going on sabbatical/study leave from September 1, 2023 - August 30, 2024. She WILL be returning 😊!

All of Dr. Avery’s patients will be cared for by Drs. Burke and Noonan in her absence. They are great and both are familiar with Shea Heights and our wonderful clinic. You will be in great hands! 👍👍

Thank you Michelle Howell for the lovely lunch you treated our clinic to this week! It was delicious!!🥰

Taking a moment to give a huge shout out of appreciation for Shelly Yetman and Rhonda Hooper!! Today is Admistrative Professionals Appreciation Day and these 2 ladies do so, so much to keep our wonderful clinic running smoothly! Thank you for ALL that you both do!! 🥰

Good morning, everybody!

FYI… we will not be able to book any appointments or answer the phones, and we will be running a little slower than normal.

For unforeseen reasons we have no front staff today.

Sorry for the inconvenience. 

Public Service Announcement: The clinic has a delayed opening at 10:45 AM today. Sorry for the inconvenience. The Clinic MDs.

💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉

Are you over 6 months old? If the answer is “yes”… Come get your flu shots!

Our flu shots are in and we are currently booking quick flu shot appointments in our weekly clinics over the next few weeks.

💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉💉

In case any of you may be interested!! 😊

EDIT: At this time, our program is full. We have received an incredible response from people who want to get outside to explore more.

We wish that could take everyone who has responded. Your interest lets us know that there is a strong need to bring this program back!
_______________________________________

Do you want to learn to hike? We are looking for you!

Join us for 6 weeks this summer as we explore the hiking trails around St. John’s!

Join us:

Orientation on May 26th at 10:30am

Hikes are every Thursday from 10am - 2pm: June 2, 9, 23, 30, July 7, and 14th.

Each week we will meet at the St. John’s Women’s Centre where you can drop kids off and hop on a bus that will take us to a different hiking trail. We have a group of students from Eastern Academy’s Child and Youth program for childcare.

You will be guided by Jessica Spooner of Rewild Wellness who will teach you more about hiking and connecting to nature.

We will hike for 90 minutes to 2 hours and then return to the Women’s Centre.

This program is completely free!

*If you need transportation to the Women’s Centre, please let us know by calling Jessica at 705-875-4643 or sending an email to [email protected]

To register or for more information please call Jessica at 705-875-4643 or email [email protected]

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our amazing medical support staff, Rhonda and Shelly!! You are the glue that keeps our clinic functioning day to day! Thank you so much! You are very appreciated!! 👍👍🥰

FYI...

Eastern Health Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-in Clinics at the Village Mall

January 24, 2022 – St. John’s, NL: Eastern Health advises that starting today, Monday, January 24, 2022, the Village Mall in St. John’s will be a COVID-19 walk in clinic for first and second doses for individuals 12 years and older as well as for booster doses for anyone 18 years of age and older. These walk-in clinics will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Appointments are not required.

***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***

Walk-in COVID-19 Booster Clinics This Weekend in St. John’s for Those 30 Plus

Eastern Health advises that there will be a walk-in COVID-19 booster clinic this weekend, Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Waterford Valley High School in St. John’s. These clinics will also provide curb-side vaccines for anyone who may have mobility requirements. Anyone who requires a curb-side vaccine can indicate so to security at the entrance.

These clinics are for those 30 years of age and older, and will offer the Moderna vaccine. Please note that individuals must meet the 22-week requirement between the second dose and the booster dose.

Depending on the volume of people, to facilitate social distancing individuals will be asked to wait in their car until they can be accommodated inside. Further instructions will be provided onsite. Please also be advised that traffic must line up and enter the site using the righthand eastbound lane; westbound traffic will not be permitted to enter. In addition, individuals will have to stay in their vehicles for 15 minutes following their immunization as a safety precaution.

The public are reminded to bring their VaxPass, including date of second dose, their MCP card, to wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring their own pen, if possible.

Significant efforts have been made to ensure that public health measures are in place for the protection of those receiving their booster shots as well as for health-care staff. Individuals will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the entrance, be required to wear a mask, and observe good infection prevention and control practices.

The public is reminded that they should not attend an appointment for a vaccine if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, they should complete a COVID-19 Assessment by clicking here (https://covidassessment.nlchi.nl.ca/).

Individuals may also continue to book an appointment by visiting www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/gettheshot/ or by calling 1-833-951-3884 (toll free). We continue to add more appointments regularly and encourage individuals to continue to check availability, as needed.

We understand that the pandemic has brought many changes and we would like to thank the public for their patience and kindness. Let’s work together to make civility and respect part of every interaction at clinics, hospitals and health-care facilities across the region.

Full details: https://news.easternhealth.ca/2022/01/07/walk-in-covid-19-booster-clinics-this-weekend-in-st-johns-for-those-30-plus/

We encourage everyone to consider getting their COVID booster when able! Drs. Duggan and Darcy have been giving some personal time over the holidays to get those shots into arms! Thank you both!! 😊

***PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT***

Walk-in COVID-19 Booster Clinic at Waterford Valley High School for those 70 Plus

Eastern Health advises that there will be a walk-in COVID-19 Booster Clinic tomorrow, Monday, January 3, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Waterford Valley High School in St. John’s, NL.

The clinic will be for those 70 years of age and older, and will offer the Moderna vaccine. To meet the 22-week requirement between the second dose and the booster dose, only those who received their second dose on or before August 2, 2021 will qualify.

Depending on the volume of people, to facilitate social distancing individuals may be asked to wait in their car until they can be accommodated inside. Further instructions will be provided onsite. In addition, individuals will have to stay in their vehicles for 15 minutes following their immunization as a safety precaution.

The public are reminded to bring their VaxPass, including date of second dose, their MCP card, to wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring their own pen, if possible.

Significant efforts have been made to ensure that public health measures are in place for the protection of those receiving their booster shots as well as for health care staff. Individuals will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the entrance, be required to wear a mask, and observe good infection prevention and control practices.

The public is reminded that they should not attend an appointment for a vaccine if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, they should complete a COVID-19 Assessment by clicking here (https://covidassessment.nlchi.nl.ca/).

Eastern Health will announce more appointments starting on Tuesday, January 4th, starting at 8:00 p.m. for seniors 70 years of age and older who prefer to schedule their booster vaccine through the online portal. Seniors, 70 plus, who already have their appointments booked are asked to keep their appointments.

Full details: https://news.easternhealth.ca/2022/01/02/walk-in-covid-19-booster-clinic-at-waterford-valley-high-school-for-those-70-plus/

From our clinic family to yours, wishing you all health and happiness during this holiday season!!

Congratulations to our custodian, handyman and friend Roy Whitten on his retirement. Congratulations on over 30 years of service at the Shea Heights Clinic. And thank you to the Honourable Tom Osborne for joining us in the celebration and presenting Roy with a plaque. Enjoy your retirement Roy!