Medical surveillance 

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What do I need to do?

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has provided you with instructions to report to your local public health unit with one of the following immigration documents:

• Medical Surveillance Undertaking form (IMM 535) or
• In-Canada Public Health Follow-up letter

If you live in Durham Region (Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Scugog, Brock and Uxbridge) and you are placed on medical surveillance, you must call the Durham Region Health Department at 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729 to speak with a Public Health Nurse.

Medical Surveillance Reporting Process:

1. Speak to a Public Health Nurse
The nurse will ask you for the following:

• Name
• Address
• Phone Number(s)
• Immigration information
• Health history or TB history in the past

If you do not speak English, you may wish to ask someone to help you.

2. Fax the Immigration Document
Fax a copy of the Medical Surveillance Undertaking form (IMM 535) or In-Canada Public Health Follow-up letter to Durham Region Health Department Confidential Fax at 905-666-6215. Or you may bring it to:

The Regional Municipality of Durham
Health Department
605 Rossland Road East, 2nd Floor
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 0B2

3. Receive Letter Package from Durham Region Health Department
Durham Region Health Department will mail you a package including the following:

• Letter to you
• Letter to your doctor
• Assessment form to your doctor (Assessment for Tuberculosis)

4. See a Doctor

Bring a letter and the assessment form to a doctor of your choice in Ontario. The doctor will complete a medical exam, order a chest X-ray and if necessary other tests for you.

After all the tests are done, make sure your doctor faxes all the forms and test results to the Durham Region Health Departments Confidential Fax at 905-666-6215. All forms and test results must be received by the Health Department by the due date noted in your letter.

5. Review by Public Health Nurse
Once all the documents are received by Durham Region Health Department, a nurse will review your record and notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada that you have completed and met the requirements of TB medical surveillance.

6. Completion of TB Immigration Medical Surveillance
You will receive a letter from Durham Region Health Department to confirm that you have complied with the requirements of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You should keep this letter with your immigration documents.

How long does the process take?

The Health Department will provide you with a due date to complete your medical exam. The average time for TB Immigration Medical Surveillance in Durham Region is about six months.

How much does the process cost?

[....]

Once you have applied for the OHIP, it takes about three months before you receive the OHIP card.

If you are not eligible for OHIP and do not have any insurance coverage, the costs for medical surveillance are your responsibility and are variable.

If you change your address or phone number, or if you are planning to travel outside Durham Region/or Canada, please also notify us by calling Durham Region Health Department at 905-666-6241 or 1-800-841-2729.

How do I completed medical surveillance?

• Start the medical surveillance procedure after you arrive in Canada. You cannot start medical surveillance until you are in Canada.
• Make an appointment with your doctor for the medical exam. The medical exam must be done by a doctor in Canada.
• Bring the letter and the Physician Report - Medical Surveillance for TB to your appointment for the doctor to complete. You will have a chest x-ray and other tests if necessary.
• Fax or mail the Physician Report - Medical Surveillance for TB to Peel Public Health
• Keep a copy of the Physician Report - Medical Surveillance for TB as proof that you have completed Medical Surveillance.

How long does medical surveillance take?

The average time for medical surveillance is 6 months to one year. Your doctor will examine you to make sure you do not have active TB disease. The signs and symptoms of active TB are: having a fever, cough, night sweats, coughing up blood and/or feeling very tired. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

Is there a cost for medical surveillance?

If you are eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), or Interim Federal Health Coverage, the cost of medical surveillance is covered.

Can I travel if I have not completed my medical surveillance?

Yes, you can travel but if you have not completed medical surveillance before leaving the country you may be questioned at the border or airport when you return to Canada.