Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My family doctor referred me to an eye specialist (an ophthalmologist) in Ontario Canada and sent the referral by fax in Sept 2022. Its been almost 2 months and the specialist did not arrive at the appointment date when hes actually accepting new patients the past month. I phoned the specialist's office and the secretary informed me in her exact words, hes arranging to see the more urgent patients including who have cancer and she did not know when the appointment date will be made for me. Usually how long does it take for an eye specialist to arrive at an appointment date in Canada? Since he has the patient list in front of him, why didn't he already arrive at the date within 48 hours or even 7 days at most? What if I still don't get an appointment date in 4 to 6 months is there a medical department in Ontario Canada that will handle my complaint without him cancelling me as a patient after I file it? Is there any way for me to receive a quicker appointment date by this specialist since it is important for me to know in advance? I'm not asking that the appointment be made quicker, i'm just asking for the date of the appointment.
Last edited by len ren; 11-10-2022 at 01:15 PM..
Reason: to change a few words
I live in ON and don't need a referral from my family Dr to see an ophthalmologist I book directly pay the fee and claim it on my government health insurance (I am a public servant covered under Canada Life insurance) but insurance aside I do not need to be referred and to be honest the fee to see the eye Dr is not that bad (less than C$200 Canadian)
Len Ren your post is a bit confusing so it makes me think there might be a communication problem. How would the ophthamologist you were referred to know if you were an urgent patient or not if he's never seen you before?
I think you need to speak to your family doctor again and have his office make a confirmed appointment for you with the ophthalmologist he's referring you to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by porterjack
I live in ON and don't need a referral from my family Dr to see an ophthalmologist I book directly pay the fee and claim it on my government health insurance ...... I do not need to be referred and to be honest the fee to see the eye Dr is not that bad (less than C$200 Canadian)
Likewise for me, I've never needed a referral from my family Dr. to see an ophthalmologist. I've always contacted the ophthalmologist's office directly and made an appointment. If for some reason my family doctor was recommending a specific ophthalmologist then I would tell the office that when I make the appointment.
The ophthalmologist that I see regularly has sometimes had his nurse refer me by phone and make an appointment for me to another eye doctor who specializes in retinology. But it was for an emergency and the retinologist's office booked an appointment for me that same day.
This is pretty well the only questions I have if someone can answer them?---
Since that eye doctor has his patient list, why didn't he already arrive at the date of my appointment within 48 hours or even 7 days at most after receiving my referral that was in fact faxed to him in Sept? Why at almost 60 days he still failed to arrive at the date of my appointment? Is he failing to provide proper care as a doctor?
I kind of need answers before I file a complaint against this doctor on the College of Physicians Complaint site and ask them the same questions as I asked above if he still did not arrive at the date for my appointment near the end of Dec or Jan if I decide to wait that long.
This is pretty well the only questions I have if someone can answer them?---
Since that eye doctor has his patient list, why didn't he already arrive at the date of my appointment within 48 hours or even 7 days at most after receiving my referral that was in fact faxed to him in Sept? Why at almost 60 days he still failed to arrive at the date of my appointment? Is he failing to provide proper care as a doctor?
I kind of need answers before I file a complaint against this doctor on the College of Physicians Complaint site and ask them the same questions as I asked above if he still did not arrive at the date for my appointment near the end of Dec or Jan if I decide to wait that long.
Nobody here can read the eye doctor's mind so it's not possible for somebody else to tell you why the doctor is or is not doing something.
Ask your family practitioner to make a confirmed appointment for you with the eye doctor. It's part of your family doctor's responsibilities for him to make arrangements like that for you if required.
Do you have objections to your family doctor doing that for you?
Likewise for me, I've never needed a referral from my family Dr. to see an ophthalmologist. I've always contacted the ophthalmologist's office directly and made an appointment. If for some reason my family doctor was recommending a specific ophthalmologist then I would tell the office that when I make the appointment.
The ophthalmologist that I see regularly has sometimes had his nurse refer me by phone and make an appointment for me to another eye doctor who specializes in retinology. But it was for an emergency and the retinologist's office booked an appointment for me that same day.
.
It used to be that way, and one can pay out of pocket by making an appointment directly without a GP's referral.
But all that change around G Campbell's time. Now a GP's referral is required, and the opthalmologist's reception insists to know the ailment before alloting a consultation date.
OP could just walk into any optometrist for an eye examination and pay out of pocket. If there is anything serious, he could be referred to the eye hospital.
It used to be that way, and one can pay out of pocket by making an appointment directly without a GP's referral.
But all that change around G Campbell's time. Now a GP's referral is required, and the opthalmologist's reception insists to know the ailment before alloting a consultation date.
OP could just walk into any optometrist for an eye examination and pay out of pocket. If there is anything serious, he could be referred to the eye hospital.
Maybe there are extenuating circumstances that require referrals where you live, but where I live I can walk into my ophthalmologist's clinic any time I want and book an appointment to get exams and tests done without needing a referral from my GP. Part of the fee is paid for by my disability health coverage and part of it is paid by me depending on what kinds of exams and tests I'm getting done. Optional tests that aren't deemed essential are paid fully by me.
When making an appointment all receptionists in all medical offices are required to ask what are the reasons an appointment is being made.
.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
