Jump to Content
  • Search
  • About
  • Contact
  • News
  • Careers
  • Donate
Sherbourne Health
  • Clients & Visitors
    • Become a New Client
      Learn more about becoming a client at Sherbourne
    • Prepare for your Visit
      Location, parking and policies, plus more info to get ready for your visit
    • Accessibility
      Learn more about how we are making Sherbourne accessible to all
    • Your Privacy
      Protecting the personal health information of our clients
    • Rights & Responsibilities
      We strive to create a safe, respectful and accessible space
    • COVID-19 Information
      Find the latest information about COVID-19 and vaccinations here
  • Who We Serve
    • Priority Populations
      We work to serve people with intersecting identities who may find difficulty finding care elsewhere
      • 2SLGBTQ People
        Learn about how we serve Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer people
      • Newcomers to Canada
        Learn more about how we serve Newcomers to Canada, and available resources
      • People Experiencing Homelessness
        People who are homeless and under-house are one of our priority populations. Learn more about what we offer
  • Health Services
    • Acute Respite Care
      Learn more about our short-term, 24/7 health care unit offering a safe place to recuperate.
    • Family Health Team
      Our Family Health Team provides a range of primary care services for our clients.
    • Harm Reduction
      People who use drugs are a part of our community; we work to ensure they have access to services that respect their needs and lived experience
    • Health Bus
      The Health Bus is a mobile clinic providing services to people who often face barriers to accessing healthcare.
    • Hepatitis C
      The Toronto Hep C Partnership provides clinical care, support, community and referrals
    • HIV
      Services and resources for people living with HIV
    • Women in Need ‘Klink’ (WINK)
      WINK provides barrier-free, trans-inclusive services to women who are homeless, underhoused, sex workers, use drugs, and/or experiencing poverty
  • Mental Health
  • Community Health Programs
    • 2SLGBTQ Family Resources
      Information, resources, and referrals for queer and trans folks looking to grow their families, 2SLGBTQ families, and gender-expansive kids and youth
    • Diabetes Education Program
      Learn more about our Diabetes Education Program, and resources available to support those with diabetes
    • Community Groups and Drop-Ins
      You don’t have to do it alone. Learn more about our community groups and drop-ins
    • Food for Good
      Sherbourne is tackling food insecurity with integrated food and nutrition programming
    • Food for Good Market Greens
      The Food for Good Market Greens initiative is a new year-round, community-based market offering fresh, affordable produce to community members living on low incomes.
    • Rainbow Health Ontario
      A program of Sherbourne Health, Rainbow Health Ontario creates opportunities for the healthcare system to better serve 2SLGBTQ communities.
    • Supporting Our Youth (SOY)
      SOY offers health promotion services and programming centered on the health and well-being of 2SLGBTQ youth and young adults
    • Trans & Non-Binary Programs
      Special services and resources for trans and non-binary service users, as well as resources for health care providers.
    • The Corner and HASJT
      The Corner in the heart of St. James Town operates on a hub model, where users can gain access to health care, health resources, community services, food and more.
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
      Thanks to donor support, Sherbourne is able to offer more health and wellness services to those in need
    • Fundraising
      Interesting in creating your own initiative to support Sherbourne? Learn more here
    • Supporters & Partners
      Read more about some off our generous individual, group and corporate donors.
    • Become a Member
      Sherbourne Health is grateful for our community members who share their time and expertise with us
    • Practicum Placements
      Looking to learn at Sherbourne? Find more info here
    • Volunteer
      With your help, Sherbourne helps make health and wellness possible for more people. Volunteer opportunities are posted here
    • Research Requests
      Research moves our knowledge forward. Learn more about conducting research at Sherbourne or have us promote your research
  • Make an Appointment
Sherbourne Health
Open Menu
Close Menu
Sherbourne Health
  • Clients & Visitors
    • Become a New Client
    • Prepare for your Visit
    • Accessibility
    • Your Privacy
    • Rights & Responsibilities
    • COVID-19 Information
  • Who We Serve
    • Priority Populations
      • 2SLGBTQ People
      • Newcomers to Canada
      • People Experiencing Homelessness
  • Health Services
    • Acute Respite Care
    • Family Health Team
    • Harm Reduction
    • Health Bus
    • Hepatitis C
    • HIV
    • Women in Need ‘Klink’ (WINK)
  • Mental Health
  • Community Health Programs
    • 2SLGBTQ Family Resources
    • Diabetes Education Program
    • Community Groups and Drop-Ins
    • Food for Good
    • Food for Good Market Greens
    • Rainbow Health Ontario
    • Supporting Our Youth (SOY)
    • Trans & Non-Binary Programs
    • The Corner and HASJT
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Fundraising
    • Supporters & Partners
    • Become a Member
    • Practicum Placements
    • Volunteer
    • Research Requests
  • Make an Appointment
  • Search
  • About
  • Contact
  • News
  • Careers
  • Donate
Home⁄Sherbourne News⁄Frequently asked questions: virtual care and support during COVID-19 pandemic

Frequently asked questions: virtual care and support during COVID-19 pandemic

At Sherbourne, we’re working hard to ensure you safely receive the care you need to help manage through the current pandemic. As we continue to adapt our programs and services to remain accessible and responsive to our communities, the below information helps address some questions our service users may have, including: what services are available, how to book an appointment, and what safety measures are in place if you are visiting Sherbourne for an onsite appointment.

Why are you primarily offering virtual care, as opposed to in-person appointments?​

As a healthcare provider, above all else, we prioritize the health and safety of our service users, staff and communities. This also means that we have a primary responsibility to help limit community spread of COVID-19. Though businesses in other sectors may begin to open up operations in the weeks ahead, because of our critical role within the healthcare sector, we will continue to provide almost exclusively virtual care appointments to all service users in our efforts to contain the virus. This is also in accordance with provincial health care regulatory bodies, which have advised to continue to offer virtual/telephone care as the main method of conducting care and support.

In addition to limiting community spread of the infection, prioritizing virtual care appointments allows us to preserve personal protective equipment (PPE) so we can safely continue our building operations and remain open for urgent matters. Health centres and hospitals are considered higher risk for spreading COVID-19 and it is for client safety that appointments are preferably done virtually, or safely delayed until the virus has lessened in Toronto.

Sherbourne will be reviewing community COVID-19 data and case numbers closely in order to make decisions about when it may be safe to start opening up our services. Our decision-making is informed by data and direction from public health authorities and the Ministry of Health.

What services and supports can be booked virtually? How do I book?

One-on-one virtual care and support via video, audio or telephone appointments are available with Primary Care, Dietitians, the Diabetes Education Program, and SOY Youth Resource Workers. Please call our medical secretaries at 416-324-4100 (then press 1) to book a virtual appointment.

If you require mental health support, please contact your Sherbourne provider and they will submit a request to the on-call counsellor to follow up for a single virtual session. NOTE: Virtual walk-in counselling is not yet available. Once it is developed, additional information on accessing this service will be posted on our web page: ‘Important Notice: Service Changes due to COVID-19.’

At this time, all onsite community groups and drop-ins are cancelled until further notice. However, select virtual support groups are now being offered. Read more on our homepage.

Can I still book an in-person appointment?

Please note that while we are trying to do most visits virtually, we realize that for some people it will be necessary to assess in person. If your provider feels it is necessary to see you in person, you will be contacted with further instructions. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, as we must weigh the benefits of an in-person visit versus the potential risk of spreading COVID-19.

What are your clinical hours of operation?

Clinical services will operate Monday to Friday from 9 am-5 pm (with Saturday clinics suspended) until further notice.

What safety measures are in place if I have to come to sherbourne for an appointment?

Sherbourne is taking thorough measures to ensure service user and staff safety for in-person visits and to help limit the spread of COVID-19. All visitors to the building are actively screened prior to entrance. All visitors (including staff) are asked to wash hands and wear a surgical mask that is provided to them after being screened. Fewer people are permitted to enter the building to help with crowd control and ensure proper social distancing. Clinical providers wear full PPE at all times when administering healthcare services and interacting with others. Distance floor markers and sneeze guards are installed in common staff/client interactions areas, and additional cleaning processes include an increased frequency of cleaning of high-touch surfaces.

I think I have COVID-19 or may have been exposed to it. What should I do?

Take this self-assessment from the Government of Ontario if you’re worried you were exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms. Recommended next steps will be provided to you.

Should I (or my child) go to school today?

Answer these questions from Toronto Public Health’s School screening for COVID-19 to help decide if you or your child should, or should not, go to school each day. This tool should be used daily before going to school. For more detailed guidance, see Toronto Public Health’s COVID-19 Decision Tool for Schools.

Where can I find ongoing details of Sherbourne’s modified programs and services?


For ongoing details regarding our modified programs and services, read ‘Important Notice: Service Changes due to COVID-19.’

Questions? Contact us.
Sherbourne Health
Important Links
  • Leadership Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Publications
  • Feedback
  • Sitemap
  • FAQ
Contact
Sherbourne Health
333 Sherbourne Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 2S5
info@sherbourne.on.ca
416-324-4100

Sherbourne Health operates and delivers care on traditional Indigenous territory. Read more about this history and our commitment to Indigenous community wellbeing.

Sherbourne Health|All Rights Reserved|Proudly designed by Design de Plume Inc. and developed by Sandbox Software Solutions.