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Free Mental Health Walk-In Counselling Clinics Available Throughout Ottawa

With the back-to-school season you may see an increase in patients developing mental health conditions related to social and academic pressure. Patients may benefit from the Walk-In Counselling Clinics which provide mental health counselling in a number of locations across the Ottawa region with funding support from the Champlain LIHN.  No appointment is necessary for a free, single-session. The clinics offer support to patients of all ages and will see individuals, couples and families. Their...

Infection prevention and control (IPAC) in clinical office practice: What you need to know

Since mid-July 2018 and the IPAC lapse in a Stittsville medical clinic, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has seen a surge in IPAC complaints and lapses. OPH has investigated 31 IPAC complaints in the three months since mid-July 2018, compared to 20 during the previous six months (a 3-fold increase). With this increase in IPAC complaints, OPH is also finding an increased number of IPAC deficiencies and lapses.

This increased public attention to IPAC is an opportunity to ensure that IPAC best practices...

Message from Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Vera Etches

On behalf of the Ottawa Public Health (OPH) team, thank you for your work to promote and protect the health of people in Ottawa.  I want to assure you that OPH’s aim is to support you to do your work, whether by making referrals to parenting supports easier, highlighting required infection prevention and control practices, or sharing links to mental health and substance use resources.

As I am new in the role of Medical Officer of Health for the City of Ottawa, I have been meeting with primary...

NEW! Download Referral Form for Public Health Nurse Home Visiting Services

The Healthy Growth and Development program is pleased to announce a new way for health care professionals to refer patients to home visiting by a Public Health Nurse.  The new referral form can be filled online and faxed to Ottawa Public Health. Phone referrals are still accepted.  

Patients who may benefit from our home visiting program include (but are not limited to):

• Newcomers (less than 5 years in Canada)
• Teenage parents
• Families living in shelters
• Patients dealing with addiction and/or mental...

Non-medicinal Cannabis: Resources to Help Answer Your Patients’ Questions

Cannabis will be legal in Canada as of October 17, 2018. In a recent telephone survey, 14% of adults (19+) in Ottawa say they may try cannabis once it is legal.1 As the legal status changes, patients may have more questions about using cannabis for non-medicinal purposes.

Patient Information on Cannabis

Ottawa Public Health provides targeted information for adults, youth and young adults, parents, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines

For patients who disclose cannabis...