YES! The South Ottawa Medical Centre is launching a new portal (CognisantMD Ocean platform) to enhance communications with patients virtually. This allows your family doctor to securely send messages and attachments, and invite you to complete forms and questionnaires online, without the risks of email. Of note - The emails you receive are outgoing only. Please do not reply to the email. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office in the usual manner.

When booking your appointment, please confirm the preferred phone number your family doctor should reach you at. 2 days prior to your appointment, you will receive an email from no-reply@cognisantmd.com to confirm the appointment and review the Virtual Care consent form. Please look out for that email. Expect a phone call at the scheduled time. While your family doctor strives to always be on time, please expect delays of up to 30 minutes. Please note that your family doctor may be calling you from a NO-CALLER ID or PRIVATE number. If you have privacy settings that block private numbers, your doctor may not be able to reach you – please check with your service provider. For more information: Understanding Virtual Doctor's Appointments

We continue to see patients both in-person and via virtual appointments. This hybrid model allows us to offer safe, convenient and timely care for all our patients.

2 days prior to your scheduled in-person appointment, you will receive an email from no-reply@cognisantmd.com to confirm the appointment and to fill out the mandatory COVID screening questionnaire. Screening for COVID is mandatory prior to an in-person appointment. Failure to complete the screening may result in delays or cancellation of your appointment. Please present to the appointment alone (exceptions will only be made for children or essential caregivers). Please present 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time. Upon arrival, please follow clinic instructions and maintain social distancing guidelines. When inside the clinic, you will be expected to practice diligent hand hygiene, wear a mask, and comply with physical distancing and infection control protocols. To conserve our limited PPE supplies, PLEASE BRING AND WEAR YOUR OWN NON-MEDICAL OR HOME-MADE MASK, if possible.

Visiting your family doctor's office is arguably safer than going to the grocery store. While at SOMC, every patient will be expected to practice diligent hand hygiene, wear a mask, and comply with physical distancing and infection control protocols. Any patients with COVID positive screens are managed by their family doctor virtually or redirected to COVID Care Clinics in Ottawa. Our doctors and administrative staff are also screened daily. Please rest assured that your safety is our top priority.

Yes – all patients are expected to wear a mask for their own safety and the safety of others. If you have a health condition that makes it difficult to wear a mask, let our staff know in advance so your family doctor can determine safe accommodations or make alternative arrangements.