We look forward to meeting you and your child. Please note the following policies.
Punctuality:
We strive to run a punctual practice.
In order to support this, please arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment to check in and have your child's measurements done. Patients who arrive late contribute to increased wait times for other patients later in the day. Please be considerate of everyone's time and allot time for traffic and other delays. Patients who arrive late may have their appointments cancelled if there is not adequate time for the appointment. Cancellation fees will apply.
Infectious Diseases Precautions:
Please do not come to the clinic if you or your child are ill with more than just mild symptoms. If your child has fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or severe cough, please do not bring them in. We are happy to offer a virtual health or telephone appointment instead. Please notify our office as soon as you find out you are ill so we can arrange for this.
No show/Cancellation Fees:
Consistent with industry standards, we have no show/cancellation fees so that we can efficiently run the office allowing more patients to have access to appointments. Fees are payable for missed appointments, or for appointments cancelled without 24 hour notice. If no show/ cancellations without 24 hour notice are to occur, we require payment before a new appointment will be booked. We only accept cash (in the exact amount) or credit card payment. It is your responsibility to remember when your appointment is booked. Our electronic medical record system sends out reminders, but at times this can be filtered out due to spam detection. Please do not rely on solely on the reminders as your way of remembering the appointment. The no show/cancellation fee is : New Medical Consultation: $100. New Developmental Consultation: $150. Follow up appointment: $50.
Safe Working Environment:
In accordance with Worksafe BC guidelines, this office maintains a physically safe working environment, including protection from harassment, threats, and violence. Abusive or negative behavior towards clinic staff will not be welcome. In accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC guidelines, abusive behavior towards the physician or staff members is an indication to terminate the doctor - patient relationship.
Refills
Please provide at least 7 business days for refill requests. Please note that refills are only provided to patients who are actively followed by the pediatrician. If your child has been discharged, or if it has been over 12 months since the last visit with the doctor, then you will need to obtain refills or a new referral from your family physician.
Note Regarding Families where Shared Parental Responsibility (Joint Custody) is involved:
If you are a guardian who has the right to provide care and consent to treatment for your child, the doctor will gladly discuss your child's condition and treatment with you. If one guardian is not present at the appointment, our office is NOT responsible for notifying the absent guardian regarding all updates regarding diagnoses and treatment. It is the responsibility of the guardian present at the appointment (i.e. NOT the physician) to notify the other guardian involved of diagnoses and treatment plans. This is outlined under s.40(2) of the Family Law Act.
If the absent guardian wishes to discuss the child's condition, they are welcome to be present at all appointments with the child. Our office and doctors will not be involved in custody disputes. It is the responsibility of the guardian to communicate pertinent medical information to the other guardian.
Regarding sole guardianship, please provide our office with a copy of court document showing you are the sole guardian. If there is no court order granting sole guardianship, then generally speaking both parents remain guardians:
Unless you have a formal agreement or order, under the Family Law Act, parents are each a guardian of the child where they have lived with that child.
An informal arrangement does not impact the legal guardianship status of a parent. Only a court order or an agreement can remove guardianship.
Both parents will be legal guardians in the scenario where, since separation, one parent has had all of the care and responsibility of the child, and the other parent has been uninvolved.
Do you accept walk-in visits?
No. As a consultative practice, visits are available by appointment only. You will need a referral from your family physician or nurse practitioner in order to be seen in the clinic.
What is the difference between my family doctor and a pediatrician?
Family physicians and specialists serve distinct but equally important roles in the care of your child. Your family physician will provide you and your family with longitudinal primary care. They will see you for routine check ups and also the majority medical issues that come up. A family physician may make a referral to a specialist, such as a pediatrician, for a second opinion or advice on management of specific conditions. If a referral to a specialist is made, the specialist will consult on the specific referral question. Your family physician will remain your primary care provider, even if you are seeing a specialist. A pediatrician does not replace a family doctor.