January is cervical cancer awareness month and to help ensure residents in South Georgian Bay aged 25-70 are able to get tested, the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGB OHT) is hosting Pap-a-Palooza, Cervical Cancer Screening Clinics (Pap tests) over four days beginning on January 10th.

Limited and select appointments for Pap-a-Palooza, are coming to Collingwood to help support residents who need cervical cancer screening and do not have access to a local doctor or nurse practitioner. This community clinic also supports COVID-19 recovery in South Georgian Bay by offloading demand for cancer screening that could not be completed during the pandemic.  

“Cervical cancer is almost 100% preventable with Pap tests and proper follow-up, however, many women in our growing community don’t have a primary care provider to do this simple test,” says Dr. Gillian Brakel, Family Physician in Wasaga Beach. “We are lucky to have this initiative for women in our local community to ensure they keep their Pap Screening up to date.  I’m excited to be a part of the Pap-a-Palooza team.  It’s a fast and simple test and we are here for you.” 

The South Georgian Bay Pap-a-Palooza, Cervical Cancer Screening Clinics are being held by appointment from 9 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm on:

• Tuesday, January 10th
• Friday, January 13th
• Tuesday, January 17th
• Tuesday, January 24th  

Appointments for the clinic are available by booking online through the link below or by dialing 2-1-1 (24/7 bilingual helpline) for assistance with booking an online appointment. Additional clinics may be added at future dates based on demand.

Primary care doctors in South Georgian Bay are currently being supported by the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGB OHT) to offer their patients online booking. This allows patients to book appointments quickly and easily access health care in the community.  

“The pandemic really exposed the need to have digital health options in place. With online booking, residents in South Georgian Bay now have a really easy way to book a doctor’s appointment and receive reminders about their appointments,” says Dr. James Lane, Family Physician with Stayner Medical Centre and Digital Lead for the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team. “This is a really great way to make it even easier for our patients to book their appointments and access the care they need. As a family doctor in our community, I have received a lot of positive feedback from my patients. I encourage all residents in South Georgian Bay to try online bookings; it’s easy and convenient.”  

Many doctors in South Georgian Bay are already using online booking with their patients. If your doctor is not currently offering this option, the SGB OHT encourages you to ask about it next time you are booking an appointment. More information about online booking, including online booking links for those doctors offering it, is available through the link below.

If you need support, you can dial 2-1-1 (24/7 bilingual helpline) for assistance with booking an online appointment.