If you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever or cough, please phone 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319)
If you have health concerns that are not related to COVID-19 that you wish to discuss with me, please book a teleconference appointment with me by emailing applenaturopathic@gmail.com to set it up. I would love to continue to offer you naturopathic health care during this difficult time.
In-Person Appointments:
My regulatory college, the CNPBC, announced on March 18, 2020 that in-person appointments, such as IV appointments, acupuncture treatments and follow up’s at the clinic, should be postponed, cancelled or changed to a follow-up visit via teleconferencing. You can cancel or postpone your appointments on Schedulicity, accessed through my website www.applenaturopathic.com. If postponing, please choose a date after May 1, 2020. Be aware that things may change at any time and I may be able to see you sooner, or we may have to postpone again to a later date.
Teleconferencing:
If you wish to book an appointment by teleconferencing, please email applenaturopathic@gmail.com While my regulatory body has outlined that Naturopathic doctors cannot treat or claim to prevent COVID-19, I am still practicing as a licensed ND and can address any other health condition and issues that may arise from stress and social isolation. Teleconferencing is easy; it involves making an appointment and clicking on a link that will be emailed to you before your appointment. We have no cancellation policies in effect during this difficult time, and if you cannot attend your teleconferencing appointment for any reason, you will not be charged. If you are experiencing financial hardship from an inability to work at this time and do not have extended health coverage, please mention that in your email and we will discuss options on a case by case basis. Your health is of utmost importance to me.
Prescriptions:
If you have prescriptions that I have prescribed and you are concerned that you may run out, please email applenaturopathic@gmail.com immediately. As of now, I can phone your prescription in to the pharmacy of your choice. Please include how long you would like a prescription for. I recommend having at least a 3 month supply of any prescriptions you may have. Please note, for safety reasons, I am unable to write prescriptions for individuals who are not my existing patients without a teleconference initial visit appointment.
Supplements:
We are well stocked with everything that you may need at the time of reopening. If you are concerned about not having enough supplements to get you through until our uncertain reopening date, please phone 250-941-6622 or email applenaturopathic@gmail.com immediately as we are able to do contactless supplement sales at this time.
Contact:
Please email the clinic at applenaturopathic@gmail.com for all concerns. While I am not permitted to answer your health questions by email, it is a great way to discuss how to book an appointment and get your prescriptions and supplements.
On a personal note, please know that I care about each and every one of you. I would love to hear from all of you that you are safe and well!
Sending love,
Dr. Erika Kneeland, ND
COVID-19 Statement – March 17, 2020
Dear beloved patients,
We are going into unprecedented territory, and the situation is unfolding very rapidly. Now is the time to stay calm, prepare, listen to our experts, and closely heed their advice.
Please note that naturopathic physicians are not allowed to treat cases of COVID-19 nor are we allowed to recommend supplements to treat or prevent it, as there is no research available yet to make such claims.
At this time, THERE ARE NO KNOWN SUPPLEMENTS, MEDICATIONS, OR THERAPIES TO PREVENT OR TREAT THIS VIRUS
Please read and follow the guidelines set forth by our government:
https://www.canada.ca/en/publichealth/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks.html
Here is what is happening at Apple Naturopathic Clinic:
As some of you may know, I had blocked off this time for spring break holidays (and a two week trip to Paris) and had no appointments booked until March 26th. The government travel advisory situation changed on my day of travel to not advised to travel to France, and I immediately returned home and was grateful to get home safe. I have no symptoms of COVID-19 but will be self-isolating until March 30, 2020.
Our office assistant will be available by phone during regular business hours over the next two weeks to answer phone calls and reschedule appointments. You are also able to reschedule appointments online at www.applenaturopathic.com.
Please take the following precautions to ensure your safety and others:
1. Stay home if you have ANY symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) AND following protocol set out by our Ministry of Health: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
2. Phone the clinic to discuss options for rescheduling appointments and refilling supplements or medications that have been previously prescribed. Please phone first before dropping by.
For now, I plan to return to the clinic for patient visits on March 31, 2020, but will be monitoring and following the guidelines from the Ministry of Health. This could change at a moment’s notice.
Where appropriate, I can offer Telehealth consultations in the place of in-person visits. Please contact the clinic if you would prefer an electronic meeting, and we will send you the appropriate details.
Upon opening of the clinic again, we will be increasing sanitization protocols of all communal spaces, we will have hand sanitizer available throughout the clinic, have lots of soap and water and hand washing procedures in the bathrooms, we will have removed communal items (toys, magazines, etc.) and will be sanitizing treatment rooms, POS machine, doorknobs, and washrooms between all patient visits. IV appointments will be spaced out from each other to limit the number of patients in the clinic at one time. Please arrive on time for appointments and wait in your car until your appointment time so these measures can be implemented before you enter the clinic.
If you have a fever, cough or have been travelling, do not come into the clinic! Please follow the protocol listed in this government link. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.
All cancellation fees will be waived until the situation resolves, as we understand that you may not know until the last minute how you are feeling.
If you are over 60 years of age, or have an immunocompromising health condition, phone the clinic to let us know before coming into the clinic, so we can advise you as to the best protocol for your appointment.
On a more personal note, please know that I care about you and our entire community and am aware of how this situation is affecting many people not just physically but also mentally, emotionally and financially. Please know that I am sending out lots of love and care to you all. I encourage all of you to take this time to stay home and practice good physical and emotional health practices. This is a great time to chat on the phone and catch up with loved ones, plan healthy meals, set new goals and reflect upon the many blessings in life.
Sincerely,
Dr. Erika Kneeland, ND