A Message to our Community | Lifemark Health Group

March 27, 2023

Masks are no longer required in Alberta

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has recently made some changes regarding mask usage in AHS-contracted facilities.

For all Lifemark clinics in Alberta, mask wearing is highly encouraged for staff and patients but is no longer mandatory.

Screening Questionnaires and Plastic Shields/Barriers at reception remain in effect.

October 1, 2022

An update on the mask mandate for New Brunswick

As COVID-19 restrictions continue to be eased across the country and in alignment with the guidelines of the Government of New Brunswick, effective October 1, 2022, mask wearing within our clinic will be encouraged but no longer mandatory for staff and patients. Individuals may choose to wear their own mask or have a medical mask provided by the clinic, if desired.

We continue to actively monitor and follow the latest recommendations from governmental and public health agencies as well as our professional colleges and associations and will communicate any future changes as they occur.

June 13, 2022

An update on the mask mandate for Saskatchewan and British Columbia

To align with the current guidelines of the Governments of Saskatchewan and British Columbia and the respective health regulatory colleges, mask wearing is recommended but no longer mandatory for individuals entering Lifemark clinics in Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Individuals that choose to continue wearing a mask can wear their own or receive a medical mask at the clinic, if desired.

June 11, 2022

An update on the mask mandate

Effective June 11, 2022, the Government of Ontario announced that the province will end most remaining mandatory mask rules. Masks are no longer required but strongly recommended, as the health and safety of our patients, clients and team members is our top priority.

As a community healthcare facility, masks are encouraged and available to all, including when you first enter the clinic and during your appointment.

March 21, 2022

An update as the Governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia lift mask mandates in some indoor public settings

Effective March 21, 2022, the Governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia are lifting their mask mandates in some indoor public settings. At this time, healthcare settings are still required to follow the mask mandate. Our clinic is considered a community healthcare facility, therefore, masks are still required to be worn at all times, including when you first enter the clinic and during your appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the both governments and their respective regional health authorities as well as our professional colleges and associations. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

March 15, 2022

An update as the Government of Manitoba lifts remaining public health orders

Effective March 15, 2022, the Government of Manitoba is lifting all remaining public health orders. While many public health measures are being eased, the health and safety measures in place at our clinic will remain. As a community healthcare facility, masks are still required to be worn at all times, including when you first enter the clinic and during your appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Manitoba, regional health authorities and our professional colleges and associations. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

March 14, 2022

An update as the Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick lift mandatory COVID-19 measures

Effective March 14, 2022, the Governments of Newfoundland & Labrador and New Brunswick are lifting all remaining mandatory COVID-19 measures. While many public health measures are being eased, the health and safety measures in place at our clinic will remain. As a community healthcare facility, masks are still required to be worn at all times, including when you first enter the clinic and during your appointment.

March 1, 2022

An update as the Government of Alberta enters Stage 2 of their re-opening plan

Effective March 1, 2022, the Government of Alberta announced the province is entering Stage 2 of the re-opening plan. While a number of public health measures are being eased during this stage, the health and safety measures in place at our clinic will remain. As a community healthcare facility, masks are still required to be worn at all times, including when you first enter the clinic and during your appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Alberta, regional health authorities and our professional colleges and associations. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

February 28, 2022

An update as the Government of Saskatchewan revises mask guidelines

Effective February 28, 2022, the Government of Saskatchewan announced revisions to their mask guidelines. As a healthcare facility, we continue to follow the Saskatchewan Health Authority guidelines which require that masks continue to be worn by staff and patients at all times when inside our clinic.

We are closely monitoring the situation. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

October 08, 2021

An update as the Government of Alberta implements the Restrictions Exemption Program

On September 20th, 2021, the Government of Alberta implemented the Restrictions Exemption Program. As an essential healthcare business, proof of vaccination will not be required for you to attend an appointment and receive treatment at our clinics.

However, as some of our clinics are located within community centres and gyms, you will be asked to show proof of vaccination in these locations if you wish to use the facilities for other purposes beyond receiving treatment.

The health and safety of our patients, clients and team members has and continues to be our top priority and our enhanced measures remain in place. We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Alberta, regional health authorities and our professional colleges and associations.

As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

October 08, 2021

An update as Nova Scotia enters Phase 5 of their provincial re-opening plan

On October 4th, 2021, the Government of Nova Scotia is entering Phase 5 of their provincial re-opening plan. As an essential healthcare business, proof of vaccination will not be required for you to attend an appointment and receive treatment at our clinics.

The health and safety of our patients, clients and team members has and continues to be our top priority and our enhanced measures remain in place. We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Nova Scotia, regional health authorities and our professional colleges and associations.

As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust in us.

August 10, 2021

As Newfoundland enters the next phase of re-opening all health and safety measures remain in place

Effective August 10, 2021, Newfoundland & Labrador will lift the provincial mask mandate. As masks will continue to be required within regional health authority facilities we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations. All staff members, patients, and those accompanying a patient will be provided with a mask that must be worn at all times while in our locations

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, regional health authorities and our professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

August 7, 2021

As Manitoba enters the next phase of re-opening all health and safety measures remain in place

Public Health Order changes come into effect in Manitoba on August 7th. While updated Public Health guidance is loosening a number of restrictions, as a community setting, our facility will continue to require all staff members, patients, and those accompanying a patient to wear a mask at all times while in our location. The health and safety of our patients, clients and team members has and continues to be our top priority.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Manitoba, Public Health and our professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust.

July 30, 2021

Continued safety measures as New Brunswick restrictions set to ease

As New Brunswick prepares to enter the green zone on July 30th, we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations. The health and safety of our patients, clients and team members has and continues to be our top priority.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of New Brunswick, public health and our regulatory colleges. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

July 15, 2021

As Nova Scotia and Ontario enter the next phases of re-opening all health and safety measures remain in place

With Nova Scotia entering phase 4 of re-opening on July 14 and Ontario entering step 3 of re-opening on July 16, we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations. The health and safety of our patients, clients and team members has and continues to be our top priority.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Nova Scotia, Government of Ontario, provincial health authorities and each province’s professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

July 8, 2021

An update on continued safety measures as Saskatchewan restrictions set to ease

As Saskatchewan prepares to enter step 3 on July 11, we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations until further notice. As providers of community health care, we have aligned with Saskatchewan Health Authority’s decision to keep mask use in place in all of our facilities within Saskatchewan. Given this, all staff members, patients, and those accompanying a patient will be provided with a mask that must be worn at all times while in our locations.

Moving into step 3 is an important milestone for Saskatchewan and with so much information to take in, we understand not everyone will be familiar with the guidelines for community health care settings. We ask that if anyone has questions or concerns about wearing a mask while at our location that they contact the location prior to their appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Saskatchewan as well as our Saskatchewan professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

June 30, 2021

An update on continued safety measures as British Columbia restrictions set to ease

As British Columbia prepares to enter step 3 on July 1, we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations until further notice. We will be transitioning towards a communicable disease prevention strategy but will continue as is until further clarification is provided from public health and our regulatory colleges with regard to requirements for community-based allied health providers. Given this, all staff members, patients, and those accompanying a patient will be provided with a mask that must be worn at all times while in our locations.

Moving into step 3 is an important milestone for the province and with so much information to take in, we understand not everyone will be familiar with the guidelines for community-based allied health providers. We ask that if anyone has questions or concerns about wearing a mask while at our location that they contact the location prior to their appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of British Columbia, as well as our British Columbia professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

June 30, 2021

An update on continued safety measures as Alberta restrictions set to ease

As Alberta prepares to enter stage 3 on July 1, we want to reinforce that all existing health and safety measures will remain in place at our locations. This includes adherence to Alberta Health Services continuous masking directive. As announced by Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health on June 22, 2021, masks will continue to be required in health care facilities, which includes community health care settings. Given this, all staff members, patients, and those accompanying a patient will be provided with a mask that must be worn at all times while in our locations.

Moving into stage 3 is an important milestone for the province and with so much information to take in, we understand not everyone will be familiar with the guidelines for community health settings. We ask that if anyone has questions or concerns about wearing a mask while at our location that they contact the location prior to their appointment.

We are closely monitoring and following the latest recommendations and guidelines of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services as well as our Alberta professional colleges and associations. As further announcements arise, we will continue to update you on any changes to our health and safety protocols. Thank you for your continued trust and we look forward to seeing you soon.

June 16, 2021

Our ongoing commitment to health and safety as provinces re-open

As provinces re-open, our enhanced health and safety measures will remain in place in all of our locations.

These measures reflect the latest recommendations from governmental and public health agencies, as well as our professional colleges and associations. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and will update you as it evolves.

Thank you for placing your ongoing trust in us. Learn more about how we are prioritizing your health and safety.

May 5, 2020

We remain open in Alberta for all in-person services

Our clinics are not impacted by the new restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta that go into effect on May 5.

We continue remain open for physiotherapy and other in-person services, including, massage therapy, chiropractic and occupational therapy at all locations with enhanced safety measures in place. For patients and clients that would like to reduce the number of times they visit a clinic in-person, virtual care appointments are available. We will continue to actively monitor and follow the latest recommendations from governmental and public health agencies as well as our professional colleges and associations.

April 22, 2020

We remain open in the Halifax Regional Municipality area

The Government of Nova Scotia announced new restrictions starting on April 23 in the following areas: Halifax Regional Municipality and the communities of Hubbards, Milford, Lantaz, Elmsdale, Enfield, South Uniacke, Ecum Secum and Trafalgar.

We continue to remain open for physiotherapy and other in-person services, including massage therapy at all locations with enhanced safety measures in place, and will continue to actively monitor and follow the latest recommendations from governmental and public health agencies as well as our professional colleges and associations.

April 1, 2021

As Ontario and British Columbia implement new restrictions, our locations in both provinces remain open with stringent health and safety measures in place. While these restrictions apply to all of B.C. and Ontario, as an essential service, we continue to offer in-person assessment and treatment within our locations. For those that wish to remain in the comfort of their homes, we also offer Virtual Care.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. We continue to closely monitor the situation and follow recommendations from governmental and public health agencies, as well as our professional colleges and associations. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

March 2, 2021

Important service update for the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has announced that the province, with the exception of the Avalon Peninsula, has moved back to Alert Level 4. This means that our clinics in Marystown and Corner Brook are open again for in-person treatment as well as virtual care. Our St. John’s clinic, which remains at Alert Level 5, continues to provide in-person services to patients that require essential or urgent care. For all other patients in the St. John’s area, we continue to provide care virtually.

Clinics remain open for in-person and virtual services across Nova Scotia following the recent additional restrictions put in place by the Government of Nova Scotia for Halifax, Hants and Lunenburg Counties.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. The well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority, and all of our facilities continue to adhere to health and safety measures.

We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.

Feb 13, 2021

An important update regarding our services in Newfoundland and Labrador

Given the announcement that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has moved the province to Alert Level 5, we wanted to update you on how this impacts our clinics and services offered. We continue to operate our clinics to provide in-person services to patients that require essential or urgent care. This is occurring with mandatory COVID-19 screening before all in-person treatment, in accordance with the Canadian Public Health Agency and the provincial health agency. For most patients, we are moving to a Virtual Care model which will allow us to continue to offer care to patients.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.

January 13, 2021

We remain open for in-person services across Ontario following the latest state of emergency order by the Government of Ontario. The well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority, and all of our facilities continue to adhere to health and safety measures.

If you wish to refrain from in-person care at this time and are looking for flexible treatment options, Virtual Care appointments are available.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.

December 22, 2020

Amendments have been made to the massage therapy restrictions previously announced by the Government of Alberta. Massage therapy services are now permitted with a referral from a regulated health professional such as a Medical Doctor, Physiotherapist, or Chiropractor. For more information on how to obtain a referral or to book an appointment, please contact your local clinic. Physiotherapy and other in-person services continue to be offered.

As you may know, the Government of Ontario has announced that the province will enter lockdown on the 26^th of December.

Our clinics will not be impacted by the new lockdown restrictions and will remain open for in-person services with enhanced safety measures in place. Learn more about our enhanced measures in this video.

If you’d like to reduce the number of times you need to visit the clinic or refrain from in-person treatment, Virtual Care appointments are available.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us as we strive to provide you with the highest quality of care. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.

December 11, 2020

An important update regarding Massage Therapy services in Alberta

As per the new restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta on December 8th, Massage Therapy services have been temporarily suspended. This change takes effect on December 13th for a 4-week period. We will keep you informed as to when Massage Therapy services in Alberta are permitted to resume again.

We remain open for physiotherapy and other in-person services at all locations across the country with enhanced safety measures in place, and will continue to actively monitor and follow the latest recommendations from governmental and public health agencies as well as our professional colleges and associations.

November 30, 2020

We remain open during heightened levels of restrictions

While parts of the country enter into new levels of restriction, we continue to remain open for in-person services at all locations across the country.

The health of our patients and staff remain our top priority. Our clinics across the country remain open and our Medical Assessment and Home and Community Care services are operational under our current stringent safety guidelines. Learn more about our enhanced measures in this video.

In addition to in-person appointments being available, virtual care appointments are also offered, which enables you to remain in the safety and comfort of your own home. For greater flexibility, hybrid care, a combination of both service types, is also available.

Thank you for continuing to place your trust in us. We are closely monitoring the situation and following recommendations from governmental, public health agencies and our professional colleges and associations. We will continue to provide updates as the situation continues to evolve.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

October 26, 2020

We’re open and here for you

As Canada continues to experience a rise in cases across regions, we want to assure our patients and the communities we serve that we are following the guidance from government, public health agencies and our professional associations and remain open for assessments and treatment at this time.

All of our clinics, including our facilities in Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa as well as Peel, and York regions in Ontario remain open and continue to offer both in-person and virtual care services. For your protection, all clinics continue to adhere to our health and safety policies, including:

Daily COVID-19 screening for all patients and staff
Enhanced sanitation and cleaning measures
Appropriate physical distancing
Effective usage of personal protective equipment (PPE)

The next time you visit us you will be required to wear a Lifemark supplied medical mask at all times within the clinic.

Additionally, our Home and Community Care services, our Employee Workplace Health and Wellness programs as well as our Medical Assessment division remain operational during this time.

Our exceptional team has worked hard these last few months to ensure consistent and comfortable delivery of care, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to maintain the health and safety of our patients and customers. See the full list of enhanced health and safety measures here.

September 21, 2020

We are pleased to see our patients back in our clinics. With clinics open across the country, we are continuing to provide care in several ways that offer our patients flexible options to seek treatment while helping to ensure the safety of our patients and team members, which remains our number one priority.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering in-person care in the safest way possible. The Lifemark S.A.F.E.R. approach continues to guide how we modify in-person care. A virtual tour video is also available so you know what to expect at your next appointment.

All of our clinics are offering in-person treatment, virtual care and a combination of the two, which we refer to as hybrid care.

Some of the benefits of hybrid care include:

Enhances flexibility for appointment scheduling
Enables clinicians to gain first-hand knowledge of at-home ergonomics and environmental considerations
Reduces the need to leave work or home or take time for driving to and from appointments
Increases access for those in remote locales, on vacation within the province, or those challenged with transportation to and from an appointment

Our clinicians and team members continue to work hard to ensure the safety and continuity of care for our patients. Perhaps most importantly, we would like to thank our patients and customers for the trust you have placed in us and we look forward to supporting your health and rehabilitation needs.

May 7, 2020

As we begin to see restrictions lifted in various provinces across Canada, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland, we are actively working on expanding the number of local clinics available for in-person care. As we prepare to welcome you back to our facilities, we want to reassure you that the protection of patients and staff remains our highest priority.

We have made a number of changes to the way our clinics operate and have implemented enhanced measures to ensure the health and safety of our patients and staff. In order to offer in-person treatment as safely as possible, we have implemented the Lifemark S.A.F.E.R. approach.

SCREENING of all patients and staff in order to ensure safety for all

When booking an appointment, patients will complete a screening questionnaire via telephone and a secondary in-person screening, consisting of a questionnaire, will be required prior to entering the clinic
All clinic staff are screened each day before entering the clinic which includes a questionnaire and touchless temperature check
Lifemark supplied medical masks are required to be worn at all times within our clinic
Hand sanitizer will be available to all patients and staff

ADJUSTING our Workspace to maintain social distancing

Patient appointment times will be staggered to enable social distancing, screening, and time for cleaning treatment areas and equipment
Clinic waiting and treatment areas have been rearranged to maintain 2m physical distancing with signage and floor decals as reminders
Clinic operating hours and clinician schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the above changes

FOCUSED EFFORTS on enhanced cleaning/disinfecting our clinics/offices

Plexiglass screen guards have been installed at all clinics at reception
Clinics will undergo a thorough cleaning each day
Following all treatment sessions, staff will clean any equipment used and all high touch surfaces such as door handles

EFFECTIVE usage of Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”)

Every patient will receive a mask prior to the start of their appointment and are required to be worn at all times within our clinic
Clinics are adhering to all PPE recommendations by provincial public health authorities and professional regulatory bodies

REACHING the best possible outcomes for our patients and customers

We remain committed to ensuring we provide the best possible care for our patients
Patients can choose between in-person or virtual care service, or a combination of both, to best meet their needs

Support for frontline workers

As part of our Lifemark Cares initiative, we are committed to support frontline healthcare workers and are providing physiotherapy and rehabilitation care, at no cost, for the month of May. Frontline Healthcare workers (physicians and nurses working in hospitals) can receive care – including both in-person treatment and virtual care services – in communities in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

Regional-focused plans

We will continue to closely monitor re-opening timelines across the country and will provide further updates on these timelines, as well as any changes we may make to patient care.

For the most up‐to‐date details on our locations and services, contact us at 1-855-485-1344 or [email protected].

April 16, 2020

We hope that you are remaining healthy and safe and importantly we want you to know that we are here for you.

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, we have focused efforts on enhancing our virtual care experience and its accessibility to patients and have also taken measures to heighten safety for our patients that require urgent in-person care in communities where we operate throughout Canada.

Meeting your needs during the COVID-19 pandemic

While we know Canadians are staying home and doing their part to help stop the spread of the virus, we also know if you have pain or an injury, it just doesn’t just disappear. Our dedicated and experienced clinicians are delivering care through our secure Virtual Care Model. We are passionate about helping you recover and can make a difference by assessing and treating you via Virtual Care, securely in the comfort of your home by a registered clinician. For more information on virtual care visit www.lifemark.ca/virtual-care

For individuals that are experiencing an urgent situation, a select number of our clinics, covering most communities, are able to see patients on an essential basis. Rest assure that we are using proper procedures and protocols in all of our locations providing in-person care and that patients and staff are screened in accordance with recommendations of our government health agencies and regulatory bodies. Contact 1-855-485-1344 to find a location near you.

Our commitment today and for the future

We want to thank our staff in every community across Canada for their unwavering dedication and ability to adapt our services to meet the needs of our patients during the COVID-19 crisis.

As we navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we are doing so in alignment with the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Canadian Public Health Agency, and Provincial Public Health Authorities. Our virtual and in-person services are continually monitored to ensure we are providing the highest quality and most effective care for our patients and our staff.

Again, we are here for you, today and always.

Stay safe and healthy.

Your Lifemark team

March 18, 2020

For over 20 years, Lifemark’s mission has been to enrich the health of Canadians. This is now more important than ever as together we face a global pandemic. Lifemark will be continuously modifying our delivery of services, as we actively monitor COVID-19 and follow recommendations from governmental and health agencies across the country.

Delivery of Care

At the current time, we continue to operate many of our clinics to provide in-person services to patients that require essential or urgent care. This is occurring with mandatory COVID-19 screening before all in-person treatment, in accordance with the Canadian Public Health Agency, provincial health agencies and other leading sources. For most patients, we are moving to a Virtual Care Model. This will allow us to continue to offer care to patients across Canada while supporting public health initiatives.

As rehabilitation professionals, we have an essential role to play in the context of infectious disease outbreaks and in doing so we help reduce the strain on our public hospitals, allowing them to better focus their resources on fighting COVID-19.

Safety of Staff and Patients

Our safety, quality and clinical teams have been working as part of our pandemic planning process to ensure:

our patients and staff have the information they need to keep up to date and to make informed decisions regarding their health and service delivery options
we have the right people, processes and systems in place to safely provide and sustain services to our patients
adherence to strict policies and procedures related to COVID-19

Our Commitment

We would like to thank our clinicians for their support and unwavering commitment to the healthcare of our patients. Together with our staff, we are working nationally with our healthcare partners and agencies as we navigate delivering care and prioritizing the health and safety of all, every step of the way.

Should you wish to connect to one of our clinics, please visit Lifemark.ca for contact information of a specific clinic.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these challenging times.

Stay safe and healthy,

Peter Stymiest
CEO