October 9, 2020
LAMP Community Health Centre continues to support our clients and community members through COVID-19 the pandemic. To respect the call for physical distancing and in support of efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, we have made modifications to our programs and services. Please see below for our latest program and service information and make sure to check out website for updates at www.lampchc.org and our other social media.
All group programs are closed until further notice at the Lakeshore, East Mississauga, Evans (West Toronto Diabetes Education Program), RAY (Youth Space) and Among Friends Program sites.
As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues and the Province has announced a revised Phase Two of service resumption, we are still offering essential services for patients who are identified as needing an in person visit.
LAMP CHC is increasing the number of in-person essential health and clinical services but all group programs are still cancelled, Many appointments are still by phone or virtual but more face to face screened appointments are being scheduled. All clients must be screened and must wear a face covering or mask when entering any LAMP building and when receiving services onsite. Operating hours will include evening hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30 am – 8 pm and Friday operating hours will remain 8:30 am – 5:00 pm at the Lakeshore site. The programs and services that continue to provide modified onsite services include PHC (Primary Health Care), Chiropody,and the Adult Drop-In takeaway meal program continues Mondays through Saturday 9:30 am to 11:30 pm. Health promotion wellness and mindfulness programs continue online. Our adult learning programs including computer literacy continue online. The Ask Department is scheduling drop off free income tax preparation appointments. Call to book drop offs. For updates on any other services like our Early ON or youth programs or gardening and food security programs please call 416-252-6471.
LAMP’s goal is to provide clients with a safe environment to receive service and a safe environment for staff to provide services. To achieve this goal LAMP continues to abide by provincial directions, Ministry of Health and professional College requirements to maintain a safe environment.
LAKESHORE SITE MODIFICATIONS: Hours of operation modified to: Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.
- All patients/clients who have an appointment and are entering the building must have a face-covering (cloth mask or other)
- Everyone who enters the building must sanitize their hands.
Primary Care – Screening protocol in place at a single entry point. Essential services ongoing. Please call ahead to book appointments. 416 252 6475 Telephone support as needed (i.e. prescription renewals.)
Chiropody – Essential services only.
West Toronto Diabetes Education Program – Essential services only.Phone appointments.
Adult Drop-in/Harm Reduction – Take away meals provided Monday – Saturday from 9:30 am – 11:30 am to replace regular drop-in program. Harm reduction supplies available upon request.
Health Promotion Online mindfulness and wellness workshops. Call 416-252-6471 ext. 308 to register. Good Food Box Emergency Food Relief Program until July
Good Food Market in Lerette Manor every wednesday 4-6:30 pm is suspended for October. Gardening and cooking workshops online.
ASK! – Tax Clinic call for drop off information. Information/Referral/Newcomer Services available by telephone. Call 416.252.6471 ext. 280 or 281
Early ON and Youth Programs are resuming with online sessions call for more information.
LAMP Operations – Scaling up Plans:
The plan for scaling-up services is based on the assumption that the pandemic situation will continue to progress in a positive direction (decrease in spread). If the pandemic situation changes (in a negative direction), provincially and in the community, LAMP will adjust operations accordingly.
- Entrance at Lakeshore – current entrance from the parking lot where the current screening station is in place. ALL staff, patients/clients, visitors are to use this entrance.
- Exits at Lakeshore – the 5th Street doors will be designated as an Exit for patients/clients, visitors and staff. An additional Exit for staff will be at the east side of the building from the east side parking lot.
- EMCHC will also have in place a designated entrance and exit and will communicate details to staff at that location
Signage is visible to communicate and direct flow through the entrances and exits. The signage includes large poster-type signs as well as floor markings to indicate direction of traffic flow and waiting- area spaces.
To LAMP Patients,
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread to our community, we wanted to reach out and provide support and information that will hopefully be helpful in these uncertain times.
To try and prevent spread of this virus, we are canceling all routine and/or non-essential visits and changing the clinic operating hours effective Monday March 23rd. This will be in effect until the end of July , please check LAMP resources regularly for updates.
Some medications will require a visit and it will be up to your provider whether or not you will need an appointment prior to renewal. If you need a renewal you can also call your pharmacy and have them send a request to our office via fax.
Please note that we are NOT testing for the coronavirus at our office.
We are happy to answer your health care questions and continue to provide you with ongoing care, but you will likely be offered a phone instead of an in person visit to protect you, other patients and our staff during the pandemic.
If you do need to come to our office please read carefully:
- All patients/clients who have an appointment and are entering the building must have a face-covering (cloth mask or other)
- Everyone who enters the building must sanitize their hands.
1. You will be asked about symptoms of cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose and your travel history by our staff and you MUST disclose any symptoms. We will still help you but you may be offered a different type of visit. These questions are in place to make sure that our office can stay open and provide care to all our patients.
2. We will ask that you wait outside until your appointment time and not in the waiting room to help with social distancing.
3. We ask that only the person seeing the provider comes into the clinic and everyone else can wait outside. (obviously if you need to assist a family member, are bringing in your child or translating for a loved one then this will not apply)
4. Please sanitize your hands before interacting with our staff at the front desk.
Please follow the advice of Public Health and continue to wash your hands frequently (at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap), and especially avoiding touching your face (mouth, nose, and eyes). Soap and water are actually the most effective ways to wash your hands and hand sanitizer should only be used if you don’t have access to soap and water.
What do you do if you think you have COVID-19?
If you do have mild respiratory symptoms such as FEVER, RUNNY NOSE, SORE THROAT or COUGH, during the pandemic, it is important that you call the office to speak to your provider or call Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000), local public health unit to seek information. Your provider or public health can advise about going to an Assessment Centre.
The Assessment Centre in the west end is located at St. Joseph’s Hospital
First Floor, Sunnyside Building
30 The Queensway, Toronto, M6R 1B5
9 am to 9 pm
Last patient to be registered by 8:30 pm
Walk-ins are accepted
https://unityhealth.to/patients-andfamilies/coronavirus-information-for-patients-and-families/
Public health does advise you to stay home and limit your contact
with others if you are feeling sick. If you need advice after hours call
Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 or
up to date information can be accessed on their website.
Toronto Public Health click here: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/
If you have symptoms that are worsening or you are short of breath then call 911.
We would like to reassure you overall that most individuals do not get severely ill from COVID-19 infection, and rarely does an individual require hospitalization or experience life-threatening infection. Telehealth & Public Health will assist you in safely getting medical care at a hospital if you develop a more severe illness during this time.
For additional information, check this link:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
Thank-you for your understanding as we try to limit exposure and take measures to protect our patients, clients, staff and community.
