Coronavirus update - June 4, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 4, 2020

The COVID-19 situation in Nova Scotia is changing rapidly. Check the links at the bottom for the latest updates.

Feeling overwhelmed or need to talk to someone?
Contact the Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) Professional Support Program at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), via email or join the weekly Zoom meeting – see details below under webinars.

What’s new?

Joule COVID-19 innovation grants
In the wake of COVID-19, Joule and the Canadian Medical Association have launched a second grant program providing up to $1 million for physician-led, health care innovations relating to COVID-19. Grant categories include public health measures, supporting front-line health workers and accessing COVID-19 care. Apply online June 4-21. Learn more

N.S. Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) e-Access
There will be a planned outage for the NSPMP e-Access web application from Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 12 a.m. until 6 a.m. During this time, e-Access will not be available. 

Food box program
For patients in need, Feed Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 food box program is a short-term initiative to provide home delivery to Nova Scotians who cannot get to a food bank or access other food support. Individuals can call 211 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and 211 will help determine if this program is a good fit. 

Reminder: Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients
A new program is available to provide emotional support and companionship to patients living in rural areas across Canada who are isolated due to social distancing restrictions. The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE) was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada. The program matches patients with medical students from across Canada who provide weekly phone calls. Physicians can refer patients by email or by completing the physician referral form.

Webinars

Physician support session on Wednesdays
A weekly Zoom session on coping with COVID-19 is held on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting linkPassword is 975004                                          
 

Webinar recordings
Watch the webinar recording from the May 28 “Public health update and office-based practices in the new normal” session and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub. Don’t forget to read the guidelines for office-based physicians providing patient care within the new normal of a COVID-19 environment.

Reminders

Federal support for patients
Do your patients need help accessing federal programs and services? Complete an e-Services form and a Service Canada employee will call you back within two business days. Or call 1-800-O-CANADA. Although Service Canada offices are closed, they are open for business and available by phone and online. See poster (English and French)

Medication access for palliative care patients
Physicians are advised to manage medication supplies to minimize waste and to anticipate future challenges. As an interim measure, community pharmacists can request a supply from a hospital pharmacy when they cannot fill prescriptions in a timely manner. Read the full message

Latest bulletin from Dr. Strang
In his May 22 bulletin, Dr. Strang communicated the expanded symptom criteria and office-based infection prevention and control practices. Learn more

Balint support group starts June 8 – three spaces left
The Nova Scotia Physicians’ Balint group, led by Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning, will take place Monday evenings at 6-7 p.m. from June 8-July 13 (first meeting runs until 7:30 p.m.) There are three spaces left. Register here. Not able to make this session but interested in future Balint groups? Email Dr. Ali Manning to add your name to the interest list.

Psychological distress among physicians: longitudinal survey
A research study seeks to understand how COVID-19 is affecting physicians. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and was approved by the NSHA’s research ethics board. Contact Dr. Jonathan Bailey for more information.

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events are cancelled or have moved to a virtual meeting. You may reach staff by email or by calling 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.

Resources

Information hubs to watch