Upcoming Digital Changes at COFMA

Big changes are coming to the way our clinic communicates online!

Our clinic is phasing out the Pomelo patient portal and moving to Ocean, a secure and easy-to-use system that will make online booking and communication more convenient.

What’s different with Ocean?

  • No login, passwords, or portal websites to remember! You’ll receive secure messages via your email that can be accessed after verifying your identity with your date of birth and health card number.
  • Book appointments online using a booking link directly on our website (cofma.ca) instead of a separate portal.
  • Online forms completed digitally before certain types of visits to help your doctor gather helpful information for the appointment. For example, developmental questionnaires for well-baby checkups, or depression/anxiety scales for mental health visits.

Additional info about the Ocean platform can be found at the following link: www.oceanmd.com/patients-guide-to-ocean

The Pomelo portal will remain available until March 31, 2026 while we complete our transition. Please ensure you download or copy any outstanding information you may wish to keep from your Pomelo portal message inbox. After the end of March, Ocean will become our only online messaging and appointment booking system.

As part of the transition away from Pomelo, we will no longer accept unsolicited incoming online messages after March 31st. The volume and variety of messages received daily in Pomelo made timely care challenging and contributed to the already significant administrative burden placed upon your family doctors. Moving forward, if you need to send us a digital document, pass along information, or have questions, please call our office and our receptionists will help.

For making appointments, we encourage patients to use online booking whenever possible – this helps keep phone lines open for those who need urgent assistance. However, please continue to call in for urgent care bookings and telephone appointments to ensure appropriate care and optimal scheduling.

We are looking forward to launching our new system soon and appreciate your patience during the transition!

If you have any questions, just ask our staff – we’re happy to help!

 

Sincerely,

Your family doctors at Central Ottawa Family Medicine Associates (COFMA)