scrubbedexpat091

Would be nice if it didn't work this way for some, but if one cannot get a GP a walk in clinic is the only option really.

That said not all walk in clinics are the same, there are some modern ones with all electronic records and the ability to see the same doctor each time, where others are paper records, and a revolving door of doctors, just have to choose wisely.

I got my GP because of a walk in, she does 50% GP and 50% walk in, after several visits for the same issue, she took on as a patient.

Going to a walk in that also offers a GP office consistently can often lead to getting a GP.

BristolUK

Might depend on the dose. It is on the Formulary for New Brunswick as a prescription drug and when the thread started, I googled for price indications and 'prescription' results came up.

Over the years, many Brits have posted total satisfaction with walk-ins, even to the point of preference because they could be seen earlier than waiting for an appointment with a regular family doc.

Pulaski

Thyroxine or iron tablets? .... I think Scilly was talking about the iron tablets.

Hurlabrick

Precisely what just happened to us. Went to the same walk-in for nearly a year, then got a call for them to take us on as the Family Doctor - result!

scrubbedexpat091

As a walk in patient I have always found the doctors to be rushed, most have that I have been to have a 1 issue per visit rule, and just generally insufficient time to deal with on-going health issues. Fine for quick visits for a sore throat or cold, but no ideal for on-going or multiple health issues.

But if one needs a GP, at least in BC a good way to get one is to find a walk in clinic that also has a practice, try and see the same doctor every visit, and good chance the doctor will take you eventually as a patient or a new doctor coming to the practice will.

That is how I have gotten the last 2 GP's that I have had.

scilly

That seems to be somewhat general even among GPs in practice ............. I understand that MSP only pay for a 10 minute visit, with longer visits (eg physical, filling out forms) having to be specially booked.

We started going to the Family Practice Clinic at the university almost 20 years ago. That's where medical students wanting to specialize in Family Medicine do their 2 year Residency. We get longer time because the Resident sees you, then has to go and confirm the diagnosis and suggested treatment/prescription(s) with the Doctor on duty.

I usually have 2 topics per visit, one of which will be new prescriptions.

There is also a Pharmacist in the back room almost every day, who goes over medications prescribed as an extra learning tool for the Resident ........... medical students in general only get about a 6 week course in pharmaceuticals during their course.

So we only see the same doctor for a maximum of 2 years, but that's OK. We can also ask to see the Doctor on Duty if we wish, or to be assigned to a particular teaching doctor (eg the Clinic Director).

scrubbedexpat091

I went the first 10 years in Canada without a GP, walk in waits where I was living most of that time were so long on a good day and no doctor was accepting patients, I largely never went to the doctor. When I moved to Squamish my wife had a GP so he took me on, then we moved to Chilliwack and lucked out with a new doctor in town, he stayed for a year before moving onto Vancouver so was without a doctor, and now in Vancouver have a GP through my wife, I would prefer the doctor I had in Chilliwack as thus far he was the best doctor I ever had, but the clinic he works at only takes at risk patients who are homeless, but current GP isn't bad, her office is just disorganized and they keep mixing me up with another patient.

Jerseygirl

Make sure you get insurance to cover you as a Canadian resident as travel insurance is for holidays and you will not be on holiday. You may have to use a Canadian insurance company for this.

There are no private GPs and specialists unfortunately. There are plenty of walk in surgeries, where you can see a GP and he will probably give you a script.

Hurlabrick

We both agree that the healthcare we have both experienced on Ontario, mixture of walk-in and family doctor is waaayyyy better than the UK. I have now just registered with a Family Doctor here in London ON, she has sent me for a fasting blood test, wants to send me for a colon cancer check (colonoscopy), I am going for an ECG and having a blood test for prostate cancer. I cannot imagine getting ANY of this from a UK practice. All this and I am in good health, this is just a 'take on check' due to my age (63). They just seem far more thorough and will spend time with each of us.

I simply don't understand people going on about the 'wonderful NHS'. That was not my experience I am afraid.

scilly

Nor do we have any quibbles with the Canadian Health Care System. We had 2 doctors in General Practice between 1968 and 2001 before we started at the University Clinic. The first doctor died, we moved to one of his partners who then set up a solo practice. We moved to the University Clinic when he gave up that solo practice to do research and then moved to a clinic in northern Vancouver Island.

We had super care from both of the GPs, with few waits for referrals or other treatment. The University Clinic is great .............. the Residents are taught how to ask questions, and to be mindful of the patient, we get rapid referral to specialist clinics in the University Hospital, and have never had over-long waits to see a specialist.

I've twice got in for an emergency appointment in the afternoon of the day I phoned ......... they were real emergencies to see a GP, but not for an Emergency Ward visit, though one would have been had I left it a day or if the appointment had been the next day.

They have an out-of-hours number to call, and a Resident is expected to respond within as short a period as possible ........ I haven't had to try that one yet!

My own experience with the NHS dates back to the 50s and 60s, and I have some horror stories from back then. But the treatment received by close relations in more recent times has not impressed. I'm convinced that my brother died far too young because of major mistakes made by the system. What I read in the UK media doesn't make me feel any better!

scrubbedexpat091

If only what you experience was the norm in BC.

At least with my current GP generally can get an appointment with 3-5 days, but never same day, need to see a doctor and can't wait, walk in clinic or the ER, and this has been my experience with all my GP's thus far, some have had longer lead times for appointments like the one I had in Squamish, could take 2-3 weeks to get an appointment.

After hours would be nice though, only option is the ER if all walk in clinics are closed or hit their quota for the day.

crofty82

christmasoompa

Should all be covered under the NHS, things like bowel cancer checks are standard checks done on the NHS once patients get to a certain age, just like mammograms or smear tests. Health checks are also routinely offered once you get to a certain age, I had my first one last year and it included a blood test.

I've also had annual breast cancer checks since the age of 25 due to a family history of the disease, that was offered to me out of the blue and not something I requested.

My experience of the NHS has been nothing short of amazing. From my daughter who was in hospital for 3 nights last month due to an infection (total waiting time in A&E - 4 minutes), to my mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer on a Friday and operated on on Monday morning, to my father's Parkinson's treatment (and even an NHS counsellor after diagnosis), as well as numerous other friends and family members who've all been treated amazingly, I can't fault it.

Tirytory

Poundlanddoc