posted on July 19: Student Health Service opens door to employees

Employees will be able to visit a doctor on campus beginning this September.

Student Health Service (SHS) is launching a one-year pilot project that involves dedicating one doctor specifically to dealing with employees' workplace-related injuries, acute care health concerns and health promotion. This is the first time this type of service has been available at McMaster.

“In the past employees often asked if they could come to see us if they had a sore throat or headache or needed an allergy shot,” said Julie Fairservice, SHS clinic director.

“Many people have also asked about a health newsletter similar to Health Talk @McMaster published for students.”

Dr. Finola Foley will be available to see employees beginning Sept. 17, Fairservice said. The hours of operation will be announced closer to the start date.

Services provided during the pilot project include a flu vaccine clinic slated for October, laceration repairs, immunization updates, management of communicable diseases that affect the workplace, allergy shots and referrals to the sports medicine physician and the sport injury clinic.

As well, she said a needs assessment will be conducted this summer to determine what employees want in health education.

Fairservice said the health care provided by Foley is not intended to replace the use of family doctors for yearly physical exams or manage chronic care situations.

SHS submitted a proposal to the McMaster University Futures Fund (MUFF) to fund the service and received $136,000 to run the program for one year. (Under the terms of a pension surplus sharing proposal approved by the Board of Governors in October 2000, MUFF expired April 30, 2001.)

Fairservice said other funding avenues will be explored to continue the service if the pilot project is popular.

Employees will receive a letter next week explaining the program.