New Department of Surgery Resources 

The Department of Surgery performs approximately 30,000 surgeries and facilitates over 170,000 clinic visits annually. That’s one fact you’ll discover as part of two new webpages for members of the public and healthcare providers. 

View the public page here.

View the page for Health Providers here.

The pages include a Department of Surgery – Surgeon Referral List. This is a great placeholder resource, while we continue to press for an interactive and current referral directory for all consulting physicians to help avoid misdirected and incomplete referrals. 

Penicillin Shortage Update 

The ongoing national shortage of long-acting penicillin G (Bicillin® L‑A) continues to be extended, with a new estimated end date of May 29, 2026. Health Canada has authorized temporary import (Lentocilin S 1200TM). The latest update includes a modification to the eligibility criteria for benzathine penicillin G, and further guidance for reporting treatment on the updated STBBI Provider Report Form. 

Read the letter to health care providers here.

New and Updated Pathology Requisitions 

Shared Health has issued new and updated Pathology requisitions effective May 19, including Pathology Requisition for GI Endoscopy and Request for Placental Examination. 

You can view them at Clinical Practice Changes for Health Providers here.

RSV Antibody Program Expands 

Beginning in October, all infants will be eligible to receive one dose of nirsevimab during their first RSV season. The dose will be offered shortly after birth in hospital or through public health offices, nursing stations, and other designated sites across the province. This means infants born at any time of year will be eligible to receive protection during their first RSV season, including those born outside of the fall and winter months.

Read the full release here.