Dr. Heather Austin

12/18/2025

Thank you for combatting this misinformation. Shame on the Eastern Graphic.

The complexity of family medicine needs to be better understood—especially as health policy is created. This PEI article relies on oversimplified assumptions that end up devaluing the work of family doctors.

🏥 You cannot project capacity by equating nurse practitioner panels (400–900) with family physician panels (avg. ~1,350). They are not interchangeable roles.
⚕️Many family physicians work part-time for legitimate reasons (including caregiving) and cannot be expected to carry full-time panel sizes.
👩‍⚕️ Family doctors deliver care across multiple settings—clinics, hospitals, long-term care, addictions, palliative care, homecare —which directly limits how many patients they can roster.
🩺 Inflated panel sizes mean worse access, lower patient satisfaction, and less in-depth care.

If we’re serious about addressing Canada’s family doctor shortage, we need to start by clearly understanding their work environment and clinical reality—not narratives that blame family physicians for systemic failures.

The CFPC’s document on panel sizes in Canada (link in the first comment) has more in-depth analysis.

12/15/2025

Appointments with Dr. Austin will proceed as scheduled this morning. If you are unable to make your appointment due to the weather, please call to reschedule. 

Appointments with our allied health team in Unit 4 are delayed until 9:30. Patients affected by this delay will be called to reschedule.

12/03/2025

Dr. Austin’s office at Sea Isle Medical (UNIT 5) will be open as scheduled this morning. Please exercise caution. If you are unable to travel due to the weather notify the clinic so we can reschedule your appointment. Stay safe!

Appointments at UNIT 4 are delayed until 9:30.

11/07/2025

Notice to patients:

We are adding a licensed practical nurse to our team! On November 14 and 20, and December 1 and 2, we will not be seeing patients in order to work on onboarding this new staff member.

The clinic will also be closed for patient appointments December 4 for administrative meetings.

Due to inpatient coverage at PCH, the clinic will be closed December 22 through January 2.

Any appointments with our nursing team in Unit 4 will proceed as scheduled.

10/28/2025

UPDATE: power restored :)

We are currently without power. The city is aware but we do not know when power will be restored.

10/18/2025

If I can find the time and energy, so can you!!
Moving your body is better than not moving.
Pick a friend, start small, have a goal.

Well done to all participants in the weekend’s events. https://peimarathon.ca/

10/15/2025

Sharing to help spread awareness and support.

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

This time is dedicated to supporting the many individuals and families across Canada who are grieving the loss of a baby due to ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death.

Pregnancy and infant loss is a deeply personal and often heartbreaking experience that affects not only parents, but also extended family, friends, and healthcare providers. It’s a complex grief that can be hard to put into words.

There’s no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a child. If you know someone who has gone through this kind of loss, consider reaching out. Even a simple message can mean a lot. You can learn more about how to offer compassionate support and listen with empathy here https://mygrief.ca/mod/lesson/view.php?id=933

09/25/2025

We honour the Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The clinic will be closed on Monday, September 29 rather than September 30.

08/29/2025

Due to an issue with our building (plumbing) the clinic is closed today. I will be working off-site to complete scheduled appointments by phone.

08/28/2025

For the month of September only, we will provide refills by fax. Increased clinical demands at the hospital mean my time in clinic is restricted, and we want patients to continue to have access to necessary medications. The Pharmacy Plus program also allows pharmacists to refill certain medications.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation.

07/04/2025

Please read. This is our truth.
(I can’t share the article, just the screen shot)

06/26/2025

Inform your healthcare provider and healthcare facility that you have been in contact with a measles case BEFORE presenting yourself for your appointment so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent spreading the disease to others.

Public Health Alert – Measles Exposure in PEI

The Chief Public Health Office is investigating two cases of measles in PEI in unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people with public exposure sites.

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that spreads through the air and close contact, such as breathing, coughing, or sneezing. It can cause a serious illness that may require admission to a hospital. Vaccination against measles is close to 100% effective in preventing measles.

The following have been identified as public exposure sites:

• R&A (RaceTrac) Service Station, Stanley Bridge - Sat, June 21 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Charlottetown Bible Chapel - Sun, June 22 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
• HomeSense, Charlottetown - Sun, June 22 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Morell Co-op - Mon, June 23 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Adams Chiropractic, Charlottetown - Mon, June 23 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
• Princess Auto, Charlottetown - Mon, June 23 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
• Ultramar Gas Station, Scotchfort - Mon, June 23 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• WestJet Flight 3540 (Kamloops → Calgary) - Wed, June 25 | Dep. 5:50 AM
• WestJet Flight 630 (Calgary → Charlottetown) - Wed, June 25 | Dep. 8:50 AM, Arr. ~4:00 PM
• Charlottetown Airport - Wed, June 25 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

If you or your family members were on the flight or at one of the exposure locations during the times specified and:
- are not protected against measles and you are pregnant,
- under one year of age,
- or if any of you are immunocompromised (even if you are vaccinated),
Please identify yourself to the Chief Public Health Office (by email outbreak@Ihis.org or toll-free at 1-800-958-6400) in order to arrange for post-exposure treatment. Please provide the following details:
1. your full name,
2. date of birth,
3. contact information, and
4. the location where you were exposed.

Read the full release here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/public-service-announcement-thursday-june-26-2025-0