Does anyone happen to know the answer to this - if you have a family doctor (in NS) and they are not available - are there any rules against you then using a walk-in clinic?

And if you do use a walk-in, is said Family Dr then allowed to strike you off their list?

Fanks

Not tried it personally but I know some of the walk in clinics like Family Focus advertise as being for those with family doctors who they can't get to see, as well as for those without and I seem to remember reading somewhere that they will then send any information to your own doctor. If that's the case then I'd be very surprised if your own doctor would strike patients off for going to a walk-in centre.

As I say, I've not tried it, but our family practice has an associated walk-in practice which is run by different doctors and is only open when the main practice isn't e.g. 9pm at night, weekends.

I thought it was expected to use a walk-in if you couldn't see your own doc. Better than tying up ER at the hospital.

our on gp in town only has surgeries 2 days a week and openly encourages if she is not available to use the walk in, think you need to find a new gp

mmmm I think it would be pretty bad form for a doc to strike you off from going somewhere else - you are ill, not playing companies off against each other for your business.

You should be well within your rights to go and find treatment elsewhere if your normal doc can't see you x

I've done it (back when I had a family doctor) and no one cared.

I thought the clinics were there to take some burden off family doctors and emerg. Up here they're only open late evening anyway (i.e. about the time when the family doctors are locking their doors).

If you have case history, you'll need to take a list of current meds, dosages and any other related documentation. Another limitation is, if you need narcotics, you have to go to emerge or see your family doc instead.

Also, depending on the circumstances, ER can sometimes be the best place to go, especially if you suspect a specialist referral or xray is required (e.g. for that nasty bacterial infection that's causing all those cases of pneumonia at the moment).

The following appeared in The Globe & Mail a few weeks ago:=

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle2106609/

Thank you - I had assumed money had something to do with it. Our doc would not deal with two issues surrounding our daughter yesterday - told me to make a further appointment for next week and would not discuss the fast growing rash on my daughter further - point blank refused.

A little call to the College of Physicians is in order today me thinks.

Thank's guys.

As far as I understand it, working at the walk-in clinic is a real cash cow for any doctor. The doctor gets $30 per patient and may see 30-40+ patients on any evening.

Similarly, a GP will get $30 per patient visit, but those visits are always take more time. I suppose, for any GP who's excluded from walk-in clinic work, there's probably a strong desire to make as many short appointments as possible to maximise income.

I know this doesn't help your daughter, and for that I'm sorry, but hopefully she'll get the treatment she needs asap.

Nothing to stop you, we do it all the time. Hey, if they are away, they can hardly blame you for going to the walk in. Just take a good thick book with you, you might be a while waiting.

??? Why would he refuse to talk about a rash ??? thats just weird.

Sounds like they made a rash decision

Where's that rimshot smiley when you need it...

She has serious issues does my Doctor - well my old Doctor as she is today :0)

sorry to jump on this thread but on the subject of walk in clinics. I stupidly chose a Dr that is only open tues-fri, and my days off are sun & mon Typical! so may have to go to a walk in clinic over the weekend to get something checked out.

Question is do you have to pay for seeing someone at the walk in? my OH paid $100 when we first came over but i think that may have been before we registered for MSP? I have extended cover through my employer also if that makes any difference? Any one know??
Thanks in advance!