Our Policies

1. Confidentiality

1.1. We take the confidentiality of our patients’ health information extremely seriously. Unless required by law, we will not release any details regarding your/your child’s health without your prior consent.

1.2. This office is fully compliant with The Government’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, and our computerized records system is protected against loss of data and unauthorized access.

2. Appointments

2.1. Except in very urgent situations, patients are seen by appointment only.
2.2. When booking an appointment, please inform the receptionist if you will need a form or note completed. 
2.3. If you schedule an appointment, the scheduled time is reserved specifically for you/your child.
2.4. Notice for cancelling an appointment must be given 48 hours in advance of the appointment day/time.
2.5. Missed appointments and late arrivals cause inconvenience to other patients who could have otherwise been seen in that time.  Accordingly, time missed may be billed to the patient/guardian.

3. Electronic correspondence

3.1. Email should be used to communicate with the office for administrative issues only.  Any medical or clinical concerns should be addressed in person with your child’s doctor
3.2. If/when you use email, especially when sending sensitive information, please be aware that email is not considered secure.
3.3. This office cannot be held responsible if there is any security breech, or lost information during correspondence with this office via email.
3.4. If you are not comfortable with the non-secure nature of email, please use the telephone or fax.
3.5. For further information about the risks associated with email correspondence, please review the CMPA document.

3.6 When patients get in touch with us electronically implied consent is assumed. 

4. Prescriptions

4.1. Medications should be administered as prescribed for best results.

4.2. If you suspect a mix up in your/your child’s prescription or a reaction to a drug, please notify us immediately.

4.3 We do not refill prescriptions via phone. 

5. Insured Services (OHIP Covered services)

5.1. Please bring your/your child’s valid OHIP card to each appointment. If the card is invalid, you will be billed directly for the visit.
5.2. If your child does not have OHIP coverage but has private insurance, we will bill you for the services and provide you with an official receipt. Use this receipt to claim reimbursement with your third-party insurer.
5.3. If your baby is a newborn, the OHIP number from the hospital is only temporary. You must register with OHIP as soon as possible to obtain a valid permanent OHIP card.

6. Non-Insured Services (Services Not Covered by OHIP)

6.1. OHIP does not pay for all services provided to a patient by the doctor. Services for which OHIP does not pay are called “non-insured” or “uninsured services”.
6.2. It is the patient’s (or guardian’s) responsibility to provide payment for these services when rendered.

7. Walk-in or same day Appointments

7.1. All visits to the doctor are by appointment only.
7.2. Same day appointments can be arranged in exceptional cases. 

8. Medical Trainees

8.1. Occasionally, there will be trainees accompanying the doctor(s) in the office.
8.2. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the training and development of future doctors and allied health care professionals.
8.3. Although it is within your rights to request that trainees not take part in the provision of care to you and/or your child.

9 .  Policy for Management of Clinic Test Results

A. Critical  Test Results - The office will contact the patient/ family within 24-48 hours/typically sooner, after receiving these results to initiate the necessary action required. 

B. Noncritical test results - Our office will contact the patient via virtual care platform within 8-12 weeks, to ensure that they are aware of the results and plan next steps in the medical care as needed.  We will contact the patient for all the results, (significant and non-significant/normal or no/minimal action required), to ensure that they are aware that the results have been reviewed. This way, we can plan next steps in care collaboratively. Results are triaged based on the clinical need.   "No news is good news" is not a reliable or safe approach in medical settings. A proactive and transparent approach to test result communication is crucial for patient safety and well-being.   We have a system in place to ensure that patients are contacted about all test results, regardless of whether they are normal or abnormal.  

C. All the results are also shared with the family physician/ referring physician/NP/Midwife.