Primary Care Advisory and Liaison Group
The Niagara Region Public Health Primary Care Advisory and Liaison (PCAL) Group is made up of Public Health representatives, family physicians and nurse practitioners. Representing specific areas of Niagara, the members strive to equitably represent and be inclusive of all primary care practitioners who practice in Niagara's diverse communities.
This group is in place to support improved two-way communication between Niagara Region Public Health and Niagara's primary care sector, including collaboration efforts, resource sharing and knowledge exchange.
Public Health presented to the PCAL Group on various health topics throughout the year. These presentations strive to support an understanding of our programs and the role of primary care in these areas.
Watch past presentations.
Group objectives
- Increase program awareness: Ensuring primary care is aware of the programs and resources available through Public Health to support practice
- Knowledge exchange: Advising on the development of communication and engagement strategies to share information with primary care
- Engagement of catchment areas: Group members seek to understand the needs, pain points and issues experienced by primary care in Niagara related to Public Health
- Planning and development: Engaging Niagara's primary care providers to support program planning and development tailored to the primary care sector
Helpful information
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Lyme disease reporting
As of April 1, the Public Health Ontario Lab began testing patient samples for Lyme disease antibodies using a new method known as the Modified Two-Tier Testing.
Learn about Changes to Lyme Disease Testing, Updated Resources and Reporting Tools.
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Mpox
Mpox vaccine is available at Public Health vaccination clinics by appointment.
Eligible individuals can book an appointment for their first or second dose by calling at 905-688-8248 ext. 7425 or 1-800-263-7248.
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Catch-up immunizations
Public Health is running a campaign to ensure students are caught up on any routine childhood vaccinations they may have missed. Ensure your office has enough vaccine to accommodate this potential increase in demand.
- For required vaccines under the Immunization of School Pupils Act, use the general vaccine order form
- For meningococcal vaccine, use the school program vaccine order form
To complement immunization efforts in your office, Public Health continues to run vaccination clinics.
Get the latest update from your local PCAL Group
Sign-up to stay connected on items that are most relevant to you in practice as it relates to matters of priority health issues impacting Niagara.
View past updates.
Meet the members
Alison Mattatall, Nurse Practitioner
Niagara Falls Community Health Centre
David Dec, Family Physician
Portage Medical Group
Gillian Ryan, Nurse Practitioner
Beamsville Medical Centre Family Health Team
Kristin Chow, Family Physician
Niagara North Family Health Team
Mark Prodger, Family Physician
Thorold Family Medical Centre
Matthew Greenway, Family Physician
Montebello Medical Centre
Azim Kasmani, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Niagara Region Public Health