A Message from Nancy Spence

The Ontario Ministry of Health has confirmed that unregulated healthcare professionals MUST shutdown during the Ontario lock-down.  Because I practice both Manual Osteopathy and Athletic Therapy which are professions that are unregulated, I must close my practice until the lock down ends.

Failure to shut down an unregulated healthcare practice during this Ontario wide shutdown could mean fines of up to $10,000, lack of professional liability insurance coverage, and having the receipts patients submit to their extended health benefit plan denied.

My practice remains closed as we move into this State of Emergency for all of Ontario.  I am working with the Ontario Association for Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (OAO) to do everything we can to reinstate Osteopathy care.  I also hope to work with the Ontario Athletic Therapists Association (OATA) to do the same.  

• The OAO has produced a letter for patients to send to their Member of Provincial Parliament asking that Osteopathy be permitted at this time.  I have attached it for you (see bottom of the page) and ask that you consider sending to your MPP.  Please find the link to your MPP and emails for other key officials below.

Contact information to MPPs in the province: Current MPPs | Legislative Assembly of Ontario (ola.org)

 The Honourable Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care:  christine.elliott@ontario.ca

Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health:  dr.david.williams@ontario.ca

Helen Angus, Deputy Minister of Health: helen.angus@ontario.ca
Emily Beduz, Director of Pandemic Response: emily.beduz@ontario.ca

• The OAO has also initiated a petition to gather names showing support for getting Osteopathic Manual Practitioners back to treating during this State of Emergency/lockdown.  Personally, I feel that the letter will be a more powerful tool in getting Osteopathy back but invite you to participate as you feel comfortable.  Please note at the end, the petition asks that you donate to the cause or share it, please share it but please do not feel you need to donate.  https://www.change.or/OsteopathicManualPractitioners
• A group of Athletic Therapists have created the following petition to get Athletic Therapy back during this State of Emergency.  Please consider signing it again, donations are not necessary.  Thank you.  https://www.change.org/p/mpp-allow-certified-athletic-therapists-to-return-to-in-person-practice?redirect=false

All appointments until February 10, 2021 are cancelled.  Any reminders that go out should be ignored.  I have recorded scheduled appointments and will reach out to you once we are certain of a restart date to reschedule appointments as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, I am available for virtual appointments by phone or internet.  While I cannot treat, I can observe and offer exercise and/or self-care advice as needed.  Please contact the clinic at 705.726.2362 to book.  Additionally, Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, and Chiropractic practices remain open and practitioners continue to provide care in accordance with infection control guidelines.  If you are in dire need, please allow me to help you find a practitioner that may be able to address your health care needs.

Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year as we all work together to get through this pandemic safely.

Sincerely,

Nancy Spence

BSc (Hons) Osteopathy, Dip. OMP, Dip. SIM

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Certified Athletic Therapist