Healthy Eating
Our Certified Dietician is available to discuss nutritional needs and assist in promoting a healthier community. Our Certified Dietician is on site on a part time basis. If you are interested in speaking with our dietician please call 519-738-2000

Special Procedures
We provide heart monitoring procedures, ECG's, minor surgical procedures and laboratory services on a regular basis.

Your role in managing your drugs

Your provider must have a relationship with you and know your health history before a drug can be prescribed. Please, do not go to pharmacy when you are on your last dose and expect quick services. A safe system has a lot of checks in place and takes time.

FAQ's
What about my annual physical?
We are promoting preventative care and this means asking about your general overall health at any visit. You can ask your provider if you require an annual check up. If you have no health concerns, you may not need to be seen annually if you are seen for other reasons during the year. Prenatal, well baby checks and chronic disease management follow ups will continue to be pre-booked as they occur at regular intervals.

What if my provider is away?
In keeping with the healthcare team philosophy you will be offered the services of another provider. If you prefer to see only your provider you will be scheduled for the next available appointment.

Do I need an antibiotic?
Not all colds respond to antibiotic treatment. At the Harrow Health Centre we use guidelines to assess the effectiveness of antibiotic use. Your symptoms may suggest an infection caused by a virus not a bacteria. Colds, influenza(flu) and 90% of sore throats are viral infections. Antibiotics can be used for bacterial infections but will not help with viral illness. Using no antibiotic is therefore safer and your infection will get better just as quickly. Some suggestions for treating your symptoms are as follows:
• Rest as much as possible and drink lots of fluids
• Use ice chips, hard candy or gargle with salt water to reduce throat pain (1/4 tsp salt in 1 cup warm water)
• Acetaminophen(Tylenol, Tempra) or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can reduce aches, pain and fever
• Consult your local pharmacist

Keeping Safe in the health care system:
• Ask a question as many times as needed to understand everything about your illness or treatment
• Have a friend or family member with you if language is a problem
• Ask questions if you are unsure of your medications and what they are for
• Use the same pharmacy all the time
• If you have an emergency please go to the nearest E.R.

What if I have a question after hours?
TeleHealth Ontario provides free access to a registered nurse 24/7 at 1-866-797-0000. A nurse can provide both health advice on a specific problem or general information. You will still need to see your family physician for follow up.

Provider Hours:
Dr. Pradko: Mon - Wed, 8am - 8pm
Dr. Goyeau: Tues, Thur & Fri, 9am - 4:30pm
Dr. Handscomb: Mon & Wed, 9am - 4pm
Dr. Blanchard: Wed & Thurs, 9am - 5pm
Dr. Lindberg: Mon, Wed, 8am - 4pm, Tues & Thurs, 8am - 12:00pm


Patient rights and responsibilities:
As a member of the Team, patients have the right to:
• Be safe from harm
• Be greeted with a smile
• Be treated in a kind and respectful manner
• Take part in all care that is provided to you
• Refuse to accept care that you do not want
• Have your personal health information remain private
• Know what is in your health record
• Be informed about the risk, the benefits and alternative treatment options.
• Choose your primary care provider within the practice

Patients also have responsibility to...
• Be polite and respectful of other patients and the staff involved in your care
• Give accurate information about your health
• Choose and commit to goals set in your plan of care
• Ask questions when you do not understand
• If you have issues that you are concerned about, please let us know immediately
• Be reliable in coming to your appointments or letting us know when you have to cancel an appointment.
• Manage your medication as prescribed. If you cannot afford the drug let your provider know before you leave the Centre and other options will be discussed with you. Make a note of how long the drug will last and if any refills have been ordered. If refills are ordered, make a note of how many and take action well before the drug runs out. (Seven days is an appropriate time period). Do not go to pharmacy or try and make an appointment when you are on your last dose and expect quick service. A safe system has a lot of checks in place that take time.
• Narcotics and controlled drugs will not be renewed over the telephone unless the patient is known to the provider and has pain as the result of cancer, requires the drug for palliative care or has a chronic pain situation that has been diagnosed and documented in the health record by the primary care provider.
• Accept responsibility for the choices you make that affect your health.
• You should only access primary health care outside the FHT in an emergency situation or when you are travelling away from home.
• Keep your OHIP number current.
• Advise us of changes in your next of kin, telephone and address. Know your health history keep a list of all your medications. ie) prescription, non-prescription and recreational drugs.
• All drugs have side effects and may have interactions that may do harm.

Prescription Renewals

• You must allow 48 hours for prescription renewals.
• Narcotics must be renewed by your physician.
• Narcotics will not be renewed over the telephone.
• Certain controlled medications need an office appointment in order to renew your prescription. Please check with your provider before you leave the office.
• If pharmacy provides you with blister pack you are still required to be seen on a regular basis as directed by your health care provider.
• Do not go to pharmacy when you are on your last dose and expect quick service. A safe system has a lot of checks in place that take time.
• If you need to cancel an appointment please call 519-738-2000 ext 23