posted on Oct. 23: New employee physician ready to diagnose
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Foley.Finola.dailynews.final.jpg” caption=”Finola Foley “]You wake up with your throat feeling like you've swallowed a fistful of razor blades.
You suspect some variation of strep throat.
Your doctor's away or booked or perhaps you don't have a family doctor and the local walk-in clinic doesn't open until after work.
What can you do?
For the first time, University employees can call the Employee Health & Wellness service at ext. 23300, located within Student Health Service at McKay Hall, to book an appointment to see a doctor.
The new service is a one-year pilot project presented by Student Health Service with funding from the McMaster University Futures Fund.
It is designed to give employees access to a physician on campus.
“The aim is to make it easier for employees to receive medical care and advice while at work,” said employee physician Finola Foley. “We're easily accessible.”
The medical issues don't have to be work related and any University employee is eligible to receive care.
The medical services that are provided include treatment of acute illnesses such as colds, flu and respiratory infections, migraines, minor injuries such as lacerations, sprains and strains, allergy injections and immunizations, screening for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, diabetes and hearing and vision tests.
Foley said special clinics for blood pressure screening, diabetes and cholesterol will also be available through the service.
The flu clinic that started yesterday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wentworth House until Thursday – is another service provided through this program. (Contact ehealth@mcmaster.ca. for more information.)
As well, the on-site lab means if your doctor has ordered blood tests you can have them done at the employee health service and the results will be forwarded to your doctor.
The employee health service is not available for prescription renewal, annual physicals or management of chronic illnesses.
Foley said she also hopes to run some preventive health workshops for issues such as choosing healthy lifestyles, cholesterol management and detecting diabetes.
A mini-survey distributed to University employees in September found that the key topics respondents were interested in hearing more about were exercise and physical health, healthy eating, heart health and managing stress.
The first workshop to meet these needs will be a “lunch and learn” called Great Fast Food on Nov. 15, focusing on healthy eating.
Photo: Appointments can be booked to see employee physician Finola Foley.
Photo: Shelly Easton
