cbrown89

What is the process/equivalent in Canada of GP's in Britain?

I would like to register with a "practice" over here....

TanieBird

You register with a family doctor. It doesn't have to be anywhere close to you like in the UK.

http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/709.asp

Not the greatest link in the world, but I think you now have to fill in a form to find a physician who is taking on new patients at this time. Note any restrictions eg. when I was looking 7 years ago, some practices would only take on male adults, not useful for a woman or a family who want to see the same physician.

HTH

haggis88

i just go to walk in places...never really had any trouble, get there first thing and i'm in and out in 20-30 minutes!

cbrown89

Thanks TanieBird

Haggis - The walk in places are similar to GP practices? Just want to make sure it's not like an A&E!

Zoe Bell

walk in clinics are a perfectly acceptable alternative to having a family doctor , they are not like A and E.

Some even let you make appointments.

haggis88

yeah, as Zoe says its an acceptable alternative

you go in, take a number and wait to be called

I'd say if you had a recurring prescription or some sort of chronic condition that registering with a practice might be a better idea, but i'm in good health and don't need to go very often!

cbrown89

Ta

Jingle

You could try Imagine Health in the South just off MacLeod - I'm with them and they were taking new patients when I was there about a month or so back.

J

cbrown89

A guy in my work just said having a family doctor is free for Canadians. I have a 1 year work permit through IEC will this affect anything?

Zoe Bell

Check with the province in such you'll be residing but I doubt you are entitled to health coverage
I would assume that's why having medical insurance is a condition of your permit

adele

Here's the CPSA search tool - you can check the 'only show physicans accepting new patients' box to narrow the results:

http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/physiciansearc...cedsearch.aspx

Zoe Bell

To expand on my previous post
You are still entitled to access health care services
I just suspect you'll have to foot the bill

cbrown89

No Alberta is the only province to provide "free" health care. I have my AHIP card.

Zoe Bell

Interesting , I didn't know that they covered people on IEC.
looking at the info on their website it's kind of open to interpretation IMO.

but if you've got your card then all is well.