Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

That sort of stuff is available. What is becoming much less common, in these parts for sure, is the idea of a family GP.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

We have been her for just over a year and still haven't found a GP.

Recently I had some women's problems and went to the local walk-in clinic. I had to wait for five hours to be seen, only to be told I needed to be referred to a gynecologist (think goodness for spell check). I was told the gynecologist would contact me with an appointment. After waiting two months for a reply I finally got a phone call for an appointment for December - 8 months after my visit!

As luck would have it (or not depending on how you look at it) about 6 weeks ago I had severe abdominal pains and ended up in the local emergency dept. Although I still had to wait for hours to be seen, when I was, I was given blood tests, put on a drip for fluid and pain relief and had x-rays taken.

A day after this I was phoned to attend the hospital for an ultrasound, just to be sure everything was ok. As it turned out they found some problems which I won't bore you with but I was referred to a gynecologist that same afternoon who wanted me to have an MRI done.

Yesterday I received a call from the MRI clinic in Kingston and have to go next week.

Although the wait times are pretty appalling for the walk-in clinic and the hospital, I cannot fault the treatment and attention I have received (from the hospital anyway).

I think basically the moral is if you need treatment it is available and the treatment is good.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

hiya, skimmed through this thread (sorry if I missed any significant details) but wanted to possibly help you all as I faced the same difficulties living as a Canadian for 18 years starting in my teen years.

First off, walk in clinics are no charge if you have a medicare card, they get paid by the govt much like the NHS as do hospitals in Canada (unless is considered cosmetic/unnecessary surgery ie, removing a mole you hate on your body or getting a boob enhancement *lol*) emergency visits are paid by medicare... so best advice, find out how & where to get registered for a medicare card ASAP when arriving in Canada! I think it was a matter of getting a photo done at a pharmacy/chemist & sumitting form & photo & proof of ID to my local CLSC but its been 3 years so I may have mucked something up in my memory by now *lol* CHECK it!!

Specialists are not necessarily covered by Medicare so you may have to hand over cash for a consultation, always ask the GP or place refering you, or if its up to you to call & make an apointment with a specialist, ask them at the same time as making the apointment! Any life threatening consultations are covered by the Canadian health care program, however, if its just discomfort or an inconvenience, go into it with the mind that you will probably have to pay for consultations & procedures yearly. Yes it is common practice to be seen by the dentist once a year in Canada, but keep in mind that as they are privatised, they are alot more concerned about your teeth & mouth and provide many more 'preventative' treatements then I have experienced from 3 different NHS dentists (one of which caused me so much pain that I hesitated to revisit any dentist full stop!) in the past 3 years here, the dentists in Canada are more concerned with preventative measures then just the 'oh look theres a big cavity causing the patient alot of pain, best fill it up' procedures I have endured here... my dentist in Pointe Claire (for 5 years prior to moving here) was always lecturing me about flossing my teeth to prevent gum disease & cavities at every visit & would look at the x-rays and spot the worn down enamel/possible cavities and provide flouride treatements to strengthen the tooth enamel... and in one case, a potential root canal (anyone whos had one knows how grim it is!!) avoided by him spotting the first signs of infections in the gum & tooth and prescribing anitbiotics for 2 weeks avoided what would have been my 3rd root canal! So yeah, point being, it sucks that you have to pay for some things in Canada, but anything life threatening will be covered or can be claimed back, and I think I prefer the attitude of 'lets prevent the problem' then 'lets put a bandaid over the problem and hope it goes away' approach.

Saying that, dentistry, orthopedists, orthodontists, chiropractors and the like are rarely (if ever) covered by Medicare.... Worst comes to worse if your in extreme pain or require an emergency dental procedure, you can just walk in to the ER of your local hospital & get free treatment, but for simple fillings, x-rays, exams etc, its not covered by the federal health plan & your best to try and get into your employers private health insurance plan as usually the monthly costs (pre-tax it was for me) are insignificant compared to the cost of consultation/procedures & equipment!

WOMEN: all our womenly problems/concerns/sex based checks are done by our gynecologists, as I think anything aside from yearly pap smears may have a charge (dont know as yearly pap smears is all I has done there really aside from a couple of birth control prescriptions!) I believe mamograms are also covered by medicare once women are of a certain age (think its 45 but may be wrong as I'm not that age yet *lol*).

As for STD's, pregnancy etc, CLSC used to deal with those tests (and they also provide additional services to teenagers I believe) but heard something last time I was there that seemed to indicate that only seniors & youth (over 60 and under 21 I think it is) were being catered to at CLSC's but cant confirm for sure.

What I can tell you is that you should TRY and get a GP as it will save alot of waiting time... this might be stating the obvious but, LOOK in your local phonebook & call them... heck, phone calls are free unless your calling off a mobile/cell phone or calling long distance, take advantage of that difference and dedicate a few hours to calling all potential GP's in your current local phone book.... I found my Canadian GP through this means but had gone 14 years without one previously & just used walk in clinics & emergency rooms in hospitals in the past. Yes alot of pharmacy's/chemists provide tests etc for free or for a minimal charge, but I always thought that should be a 'to pass the time while finding a GP' resort.

The biggest difficulty is that most Canadian educated GP's have been lured to the U.S.A or to Europe with more promising salaries & benefits... sadly, due to the lower wages that the Canadian public health service proffesionals earn, many forgo any sense of loyalty and bugger off to the States to earn more lucrative salaries as there is a jokingly poor 'public health' service that the US govt tried to introduce a few years back with not nearly the extent or sucess of the Canadian or British public health care services.... I know its a shite comparison but if any of you watch the US tv show E.R you'll get an idea of what I'm on about.

Last thing, KEEP on it... hell it took me 6 months of trying to find a private GP and I finally did (operating out of a sports medicine clinic) and it wasnt next door (downtown Montreal 45 minutes away by car in traffic from where I lived) but atleast I finally DID get to make apointments and bore her to death with physicals and my neurotic worries *lol* :lol:

Good luck to you all!! If you get a referall to a GP.. TAKE IT as it will save you time and money... another tip is to ask your private health insurer (if your company offers private health insurance) for recomendations of GP's in your area... never hurts to ask!

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

hey Deadra,

Trust me I have called every medical clinic in the Montreal phone book, so it is not for the lack of trying. I was recommended to contact the outpatient clinic at the Jewish and no luck there. For now, I plan on going to the Medical Clinic in Cavendish Mall until I can get somebody to take us on. You would think the CLSC would be able to help those on their own territory wouldnt you?? I know a bunch of Nurses on the home care team but they all do the same as me.. bug a doc to renew meds on the ward :unsure:

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

From what I *think* I recall from the news my family in MTL gave me a year or so ago, the CLSC's around Montreal were trying to switch over to cater to only A) young people ie; under 21 B) Senior citizens ie: over 60 or C) some eceptions made for people who didnt have driving licenses as proof of photo ID (for govt medicare applications) or disabled/limited mobility patients. I think it was supposed to have been done to free up services for the youth & elderly who tend to have more health (in the case of young persons, sexual health more frequently) problems.

In general though, if you ever are panicking about a potential serious illness/life threatening predicament, the 911 (literally, just dial 911 on any phone mobile or landline even payphones are no charge I think) for yourself or someone else in your company. The Emergency Response team's (ambulances or ER staff) first priority is always to save lives & answer questions/costs later... if its a genuine emergency, you will not be charged! The only reason there ARE charges is that there are alot of hypochrondiacs (spelling must be off?!) and pranksters sending the ER response teams to non critical cases.:frown:

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Unbelieveable. I went to the walk-in yesterday; the one the nurse told me about. It hasn't accepted new patients for years. It's a walk-in FFS.:curse:

I explained my situation to the nice lady at the desk. She explained that I am basically screwed. No doctor/clinic in Gatineau is taking on new patients and the hospital won't do medicals. Essentially, the only way I can get to see a doctor here is to have a heart attack in the mall.

So, it's back to pleading with a walk-in on the Ontario side.

My provincial MP had better be sitting down when he opens the letter he's going to get.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

We recently switched the company insurance to Manulife, they did medicals and sent the results. Perhaps you could take out a small policy with them just to get the medical done.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Not a bad idea, and would help make Souv worth more dead than alive.

Is the DMP idea a non starter too then?

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Not like the politicians care. Its the same in Alberta and it was the same in BC.

I dont beleive one can get good preventive care in Canada. Its all about waiting til your actually ill.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Not sure what you are basing that generalisation on, the whole network and system of regional Health Units is almost entirely about preventative care.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

No, I think that's a fine idea. Just offering an alternative.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Thanks dbd and Not.

I have gone back to first principles. Or I will do. The Appletree Clinic on Slater in Ottawa is the place I went to last week, mid-morning, and was told I had a long wait ahead of me. So I left. I called again today and was told that if I show up when it opens (7am) I won't wait long.

Hopefully this will get sorted. I'm not sure if I had a heart condition before but I'm bloody sure I do now.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Federal ones probably don't. Provincial MPs are a different kettle of fish. Souvette's MP made stuff happen really quick (hours) when she complained to him about something.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Absolutely sure, in fact. Shit.

Re: Finding a GP in Canada
 

Sorry to hear that, Souv.