Doctors and specialists appointments in Canada

[[La...]]

I am really amazed and somewht jealous at the number of Drs and specialists allot of benzo buddies seem to be able to get appointments with, must be our health care system here in Canada. I am reading in many posts of the visits to specialists, many of them for one person, it would take months and months to even get an appointment with one specialist here let alone many, we can not go  from Dr to Dr for opinions and tests and more tests, anyone from Canada want chime in on this, its frustrating to say the least, and we brag about our health care, I guess the one truly good point is that no matter your financial status you are covered, the thing is your visit might be covered but just try to get an appointment to see specialist, up to six month waiting lists and getting worse. Ladygrace

[[An...]]

I agree waiting lists in Canada are ridiculous. I waited a month to see a pdoc and she  wouldn't give me any info and said I had to wait to get the report from my doc in three weeks.  Her report was of no help and I can't see her again for 5 months because of the wait list. Another docs wait list aw 4 months so not much better.

[[Me...]]

I just got a call today for a referral made 6 months ago.  I got in faster using the Mental Health Nursing Route and was seen 2.5 months ago.  Since I work for the health authority, I happen to know a few really fast routes, but I was surprized, the chronic pain nursing center was very fast at getting me some support too, so that could be a route to go.  Try many avenues and you will get in.  In fact, once you get several workers on your side, it goes very fast.

 

I have to say that showing up at the hospital 2 days post partum with a c-section (12 hours after discharge) and no baby, saying I am having thoughts of drowning the baby.... now that worked immediately!  Of course the reason why I had no baby was that the father was withholding the baby and I really didn't intend on harming, just the thoughts were beyond disturbing.  The police reunited me with my baby and I have been a single mom since.

 

I also go to a group to do non-violent communicatiion practice and oone of the members is a pdoc, but he hasn't any idea, that I am in benzo wd, but knows I have many stressors.  I seem to be coherent in the evening so hopefully, I don't get kind of caught by that pdoc (although his wife did see me have a tearfullness session in the play room at the same shcurch we go to  and asked if I was ok)... I think if they put anything together, then it would be my bankrupcy and repo of the car caused the episode.  But it really was the BZ WD!

 

Ok.. drugs kicking in... better stumble off to bed!

[[je...]]

I am in Canada too and agree with the waiting a heck of a long time for appointments and specialists.  I am also an American having married a Canadian and now live here so have experienced both....the cost of Am. healthcare is HUGE but you do get decent care overall ...in Canada it doesn't cost upfront (it does in tax tho!!) and you wait a heck of a long time....we don't have the marble floor bazillion dollar fancy schmancy looking hospitals but we do get care..eventually..lol....both are good in their own ways but both def need work!!!!!....I have adapted to waiting and not having to pay through my rear for every little thing.....but miss having answers a.s.a.p.....what's a girl to do?  lol..

[[ha...]]

Oh for the good old days......we used to see doctors so quickly. Even if you have a bad doc you can't change, because noone is taking patients.

I have lived in both the Canadian and US systems, too. It would break my heart to see people in the States lose so much due to medical problems.  I found that harder, though I am critical of our system, too.  Needs fixing.

[[je...]]

Isn't that the truth Hanna!  Even if we want to seek another dr......who is there?  You may have to resort to a spy in immigration to see when the next dr is arriving in canada so we can see him/her!  oops did i say that?  shhhhhhh Jen....I agree both are flawed big time.....maybe we should start a coup and develop our own!  lol

[[ha...]]

Absolutely! A spy in immigration.....my lips are sealed.

[[Ho...]]

The wait is unreal but what I don't like is the fact that we have to be referred by a gp

[[ha...]]

Yes. I guess I feel better about the hospital situation today. My sister was experiencing problems last week, it was diagnosed, and today she had surgery - not major surgery but surgery. So from problem to solution: 10 days. And she is feeling much better already. This gives me hope - and I am glad for her.

[[je...]]

hope all is going well with your sis...good to hear it was quick and they got to her in a shorter period than usual....many prayers your way...jen

[[Ca...]]

I talked to my mother in Kamloops B C today. Her doctor has moved away but before he left he ordered heart test which won't be done until May 31st. Get this. There will be no doctor at that practice until September so no doctor to receive the results of her tests.  Huge doctor shortage in the smaller towns.

Fellow Canadian.  Carol

[[La...]]

H,i yes, a huge shortage which they are trying to address in the small town I moved to.  I have a family doctor in the city I moved from which is now an hour drive away. I was hoping to get a Dr here but none are taking pts. It looks like they are hoping to attract more Drs here as the hospital put a surveys in the local paper with a number to call to answer the survey, if you had a Dr or would like to transfer to one in the area, I hope they are successful as my Dr is sooo rushed he makes me anxious just waiting to see him ::)He usually complains loudly in his hallway about his staff overbooking pts etc and then rushes in and rushes through the visit, its not good

[Guest [Da...]]

I just hope my doctor doesn't retire...he is the best I had so far.   He did mention he was thinking of it. I don't know what I will do.

 

Ladygrace12...I know what you mean. There is such a doctor's shortage in my area (east of Toronto) and has been for 10 years. If he left, I would have to go to Urgent Care at a clinic or Emergency at the hospital. I dread that day.

 

(Mental note: when I have some energy, start looking for a new doctor and get put on waitlist.)

 

Pdoc's are even harder to get so I have to keep mine right now. If I lost him, I'd have to go through Emergency (Crisis Centre) and be re-evaluated all over again to get a Pdoc. Priority cases first and there is an huge uptick in mental health patients here. Otherwise, I heard there was a 1+ years wait list for Pdocs in my area.

 

The good ole days when I could go from one doctor to another easily are gone. But, I guess we are lucky that it is still free health care. How long...who knows.

 

HockeyGal..I agree with you re: referral to specialist has to be done by GP...that sucks.

 

Danni

[[mp...]]

Hi. Although I'm American, my step-mum was Canadian and we discussed this topic a lot. We both agreed on:  If you had enough money, this would be a mute point. Seems a little ridic for folks to decide healthcare for all (read poor and middle) when with their own personal wealth, they get the very best. Out of touch, and I don't see how anything will ever change as long as policy makers don't walk a step in our high heels.