The WHO Director-General concurs with the advice offered by the Committee regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He determines that COVID-19 is now an established and ongoing health issue which no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Read MoreWhile NSHA has not published mask guidance, Our office policy at the Antigonish Mall Clinic will simply ask you to wear a mask for any respiratory symptoms.
Read MoreHappy Easter !!
Read MoreOUR STAFF ARE EXPERIENCING INCREASED VERBAL ABUSE/HARASSMENT IN RECENT TIME
HEALTH CARE SYSTEMIC STRAINS ARE NO EXCUSE FOR UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR/COMMUNICATION/PROFANITY
PATIENTS WILL BE DISCHARGED FROM OUR MEDICAL PRACTICE WITHOUT WARNING SHOULD HARRASSMENT OCCUR
WE WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE 30TH AND 31ST OF MARCH FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES UPDATE MEETINGS
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO REVIEW YOUR DIABETIC MANAGEMENT
WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE USE OF RYBELSUS AND OZEMPIC AS PART OF YOUR TREATMENT PLAN
Read MoreFrom President Doctors NS
“Nova Scotia’s doctors work hard to care for their patients, provide them with appropriate advice and advocate on their behalf.
In 2005, the federal government expanded the disability tax credit. This non-refundable tax credit helps disabled people (or those who support them) reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. As a result of the expansion, individuals may now backfile for up to 10 years. While this has been very welcome for many Canadians, the expansion has resulted in several unintended consequences that are of concern to Doctors Nova Scotia.
Chief among these has been the proliferation of third-party companies aggressively marketing to Canadians with the message that disabled people may be eligible for tens of thousands of dollars in tax refunds – and that all it takes is to have their physician complete the disability tax form. However, these for-profit companies don’t have the complete health profile of the patients they are dealing with, and they are not positioned to suggest medical diagnoses. In addition, these third-party companies often take a percentage of any refund in return for their services.
The challenge is that these companies often create great expectations of financial windfall for individuals, but in some cases, physicians are not able to confirm the patient’s disability to the degree needed to qualify for the tax benefit. This then strains the physician-patient relationship. If a physician determines they cannot ethically support a determination of disability, these companies will implore the patient to ask the doctor to change the diagnosis to support a claim.
Nova Scotia’s physicians will always provide the best medical care, support and advice for their patients. They will always try to do what is best for their patients’ health and wellbeing. Physicians are regulated by authorities such as the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and they are bound by their code of ethics. Physicians cannot – and should not – be pressured to make diagnoses on the basis of aggressive marketing tactics used by companies that want to make a profit from patients.
If you believe you have a disability that would entitle you to claim the disability tax credit, speak to your family physician. Trust that your physician will, as they always do, treat you with your best interest at heart. You don’t need to be seduced by the self-interested marketing of for-profit businesses.”
Sincerely,
Tim Holland, MD, CCFP (EM)
President
We will be closed monday Feb 20th for Heritage Day/Family Day
Read MoreWe hope to be open by 11 am to 12 noon, Some appointments will be changed to Telephone in a way of supporting our clients
Read MoreWishing you and your families a happy new year filled with hope, health, and happiness - with a generous sprinkle of fun! Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a Happy New Year. May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always.
Read MoreWe are taking down our office email account “sgallant123@hotmail.com”. It served its purpose during “lockdown”
Please call the office for a face to face appointment. To us, “Pandemic Telephone Appointments” are hardly relevant as we emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic.
Some telephone appointments may still be appropriate for refills and test results. Thank You for your understanding.
Read MoreWe are closed Friday 23rd Dec through dec 27th 2022. Open regular hours Dec 28,29 and 30th.
Closed New Years Day Observed Jan 2nd 2023
Then back to regular hours to serve you
Read MoreFriday, December 16, 2022
RE: Recent Meningococcal Meningitis B cases in Nova Scotia
Dear Nova Scotia Health Care Providers:
Public Health is currently investigating two cases of invasive meningococcal serogroup B disease, who are both students at Dalhousie University living at the same residence, Shirreff Hall. Both individuals began experiencing symptoms between December 8 and 12. One student is recovering, and one has, unfortunately, died. Both were also co-infected with influenza virus. At this time there is no known connection between the two cases other than living in the same residence, although this is still under investigation.
Public Health has identified all high-risk close contacts of these students. They have all received chemoprophylaxis and will be offered the Meningococcal B vaccine (Bexsero®). Two cases of meningococcal disease with the same serogroup in one location over a short period of time is
considered an institutional outbreak. In response, Public Health will be holding vaccination clinics for the students and staff of Shirreff Hall this weekend.
In addition to this, Public Health is investigating a third non-related case of meningococcal disease in a child in Northern Zone. Serogroup information on this case is pending, and case investigation is ongoing. This case also was co-infected with influenza virus. Close contacts have been identified and provided with chemoprophylaxis.
While the risk to the public is low, health care providers may receive an increase in questions or visits to clinics and emergency departments. If your patient believes they are a high-risk close contact of the infected individual, please instruct him/her/them to contact Public Health at 1-902-481-5824. Your patient will be assessed for exposure and prophylaxis will be recommended if needed.
Preceding viral illnesses may increase the risk of secondary bacterial infections including meningococcus. Given this and the current increase in respiratory illnesses, we encourage all Nova Scotians 6 months or older to also receive their seasonal influenza if not received already.
Please advise patients about the symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease (e.g., changes in level of alertness, fever, headache, stiff neck, rash or sensitivity to light) and if they become symptomatic to seek prompt medical attention. A fact sheet is available at: https:1/novascotia.ca/dhw/cdpc/cdc/documents/Meningococcal-Disease-lnvasive.pdf
Read MoreThroughout the Covid Pandemic ……. WE HAVE BEEN OPEN TO SERVE YOU. I would anticipate that while some patients still prefer telephone interactions, there are risks on both sides of the equation. So we would prefer your appointments at this stage of the pandemic to be primarily face to face as outlined by our Governing Bodies HERE
Read MoreDr Gallant will be attending a joint initiative on Asthma Management Dec 12-14th 2022 in London.
We are pleased to have Dr Mac Neil providing Locum Tenens Coverage while he is away.
Please call the office if you need an appointment
Read MoreIn Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
