Dear Colleagues,

We know that many of you are seeing a significant surge in respiratory illness, particularly among children. As children’s hospitals and pediatric wards experience overwhelming demand, the Ontario College of Family Physicians encourages all family doctors from across Ontario to continue to prioritize seeing children with respiratory illness in-person, when needed.

We know this current crisis is coming at a time when family doctors are already struggling with a backlog in care and managing increasingly more complex cases following more than two years of the pandemic.

We thank you for your dedication and service and want you to know that your efforts are appreciated.

Please find new resources and tools below:

1. The OCFP has prepared the following resource for patients with information on caring for a sick child at home and when to seek care.
2. Please find a memo that can be shared with your patients explaining when to seek care, reminding them to wear a mask in your office and asking them for their understanding as we manage high volumes. (En français).
3. The OCFP has updated two printable signs. The first asks patients to remember to wear a mask. (En français). The second reminds patients that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. (En français).

As a reminder, our next COVID-19 Community of Practice is scheduled for Nov. 11, focusing on managing pediatric respiratory illness in the community setting. Register now.

We hope that these resources help you to communicate and provide care for your patients during this extremely difficult time.

Mekalai