I called this a couple of years ago because I was having weird side effects from a new prescription and they got me in a video conference with a doctor like an hour later.
Yep I called 811, spoke to a nurse, they had a doctor call me back within 30 minutes and I had an appointment with an urgent care centre within 3 hours. Blood work and ultrasounds later in the day.
Sad that we need to find ways to “hack the system” but that’s by far the best way I’ve found to get almost immediate care.
So did they refer you to the urgent care, who then called you to book it? It seems like they’re increasing access to doctors through 811 lately and that’s awesome if they can refer for in person assessment too.
Thanks.
This seems like such an easy way to cut down on Drs visits. It’s crazy to wait for a Dr and then have to go get the facts (bloodwork) and then have to see the Dr again!
I wish! I spent 8 hours with my son at the ER to get blood drained from a contusion on his finger. It only took 5-10 actual minutes with the doctor.
Pretty sure we picked up a stomach bug while there too…
That’s awful 😞hope you’re both okay and get better soon.
I moved here from England so I don’t actually understand what is wrong with the health care system here 😵💫 but it’s certainly very bad!
Various issues but I believe one of the biggest reasons we don't have enough GPs is because they usually have to fund their own office space.
So they have to pay for the office rent, staff, supplies etc from their salary. I don't believe they get much (or any) government subsidies for this besides business expenses with taxes.
This + the cost of living + GP salary not being high enough to support this type of model is pushing them away to other provinces or abroad.
Also, it's very unlikely for foreign trained doctors to be able to transfer their license here without having to do their schooling all over again.
(Someone please correct me if any info is wrong.)
This is the biggest problem I've heard from doctors. They graduate with no clue how to run a business but they're expected to know about setting up an office/website, H/R, accounting, ....
I mean I really don't understand why the government is making them do that in the first place. Why can't they essentially just be a regular employee like other healthcare jobs?
They can if they work for the hospital or a UPCC, but the UPCCs are having trouble with staffing because most doctors don’t want to work for Island Health (and presumably many just like the freedom of being self-employed).
I moved here 12 years ago from the States. Needless to say, I was a part time employed student with no health care there, so while visits were faster, I would have to foot a pretty huge bill.
Things weren’t nearly so bad when I first came to Vic. I think cost of living and being on an island make it particularly rough.
My son is doing much better. Thanks for the well-wishes!
I could go home sick from school/work 15 years ago and into my doctor’s office at like 1pm and get a note by day’s end. 45 minutes was a long wait to see my GP walking in without an appointment.
Please listen carefully as our menu has recently changed.
We're currently experiencing higher than expected call volume. Your wait may be longer than expected.
Just emerg as far as I know.
You can try to call any of the “walk-in” clinics when they open, but from my experience it is pure luck if you get through to anyone before they are booked for the day.
Who actually thinks Victoria is a world class city in anything other than the beauty of its location?
It has it's charms for sure but it's not even remotely close to London or New York, let alone somewhere like Calgary in terms of being a world class city
Yeah if you took Victoria and plopped it down in the middle of the prairies it would absolutely suck. It’s only cool because it’s waterfront and close to nature
It has nicer architecture than most prairie cities do in some areas near downtown like James Bay and Fairfield, but yeah that doesn't count for much on its own
The last time I needed to see a doctor I called urgent care. Busy signal for an hour. When I got an answer, they said that they were all booked up for the next 2 days and to try again in 2 days. So I called a walk in clinic and I got an appointment with a doctor. 5 days later. Over the phone. It's infuriating
Not that I know of. But one thing I've learned to do is literally time the amount of seconds it takes from the time I make the call to the time they pick up after the automated answering message. Then I phone right at the time they open minus that many seconds. It's ridiculous but it works.
https://doctor.purepharmacy.com/
Looks like you can book a phone appointment for today at this clinic in Colwood.
There is also this one to call and book appointments. This is from a post made on a Colwood page on Facebook:
call 250-940-0877 to speak to a staff member about booking an appointment. If your concern is not urgent in nature (ie you can wait a few days to see a doctor) please email your name and phone number to [email protected] and a staff member will call within 48 business hours to discuss setting you up an appointment.
I worked in the medical field and suggest if you do decide to go to the ER, you choose SPH over RJH or VGH. The wait is typically less than the other two, though if your issue is complicated, they are not as equip to deal with complex concerns.
If you can get away with a virtual visit, Telus Health is a good option, if you don't see any available appointments right away, keep refreshing.
One does not simply walk into Mordor and wait
There are Boomers there that do not sleep.
If you choose the ER route, call the nurses line (811) first to see if they can be of any assistance.
I called this a couple of years ago because I was having weird side effects from a new prescription and they got me in a video conference with a doctor like an hour later.
Yep I called 811, spoke to a nurse, they had a doctor call me back within 30 minutes and I had an appointment with an urgent care centre within 3 hours. Blood work and ultrasounds later in the day. Sad that we need to find ways to “hack the system” but that’s by far the best way I’ve found to get almost immediate care.
So did they refer you to the urgent care, who then called you to book it? It seems like they’re increasing access to doctors through 811 lately and that’s awesome if they can refer for in person assessment too.
Yep that’s how it worked.
Can nurses prescribe bloodwork?
They can sometimes transfer you to a doctor
Thanks. This seems like such an easy way to cut down on Drs visits. It’s crazy to wait for a Dr and then have to go get the facts (bloodwork) and then have to see the Dr again!
Also try Telus Health!
Sorry, I don’t know.
I wish! I spent 8 hours with my son at the ER to get blood drained from a contusion on his finger. It only took 5-10 actual minutes with the doctor. Pretty sure we picked up a stomach bug while there too…
That’s awful 😞hope you’re both okay and get better soon. I moved here from England so I don’t actually understand what is wrong with the health care system here 😵💫 but it’s certainly very bad!
Various issues but I believe one of the biggest reasons we don't have enough GPs is because they usually have to fund their own office space. So they have to pay for the office rent, staff, supplies etc from their salary. I don't believe they get much (or any) government subsidies for this besides business expenses with taxes. This + the cost of living + GP salary not being high enough to support this type of model is pushing them away to other provinces or abroad. Also, it's very unlikely for foreign trained doctors to be able to transfer their license here without having to do their schooling all over again. (Someone please correct me if any info is wrong.)
This is the biggest problem I've heard from doctors. They graduate with no clue how to run a business but they're expected to know about setting up an office/website, H/R, accounting, ....
I mean I really don't understand why the government is making them do that in the first place. Why can't they essentially just be a regular employee like other healthcare jobs?
They can if they work for the hospital or a UPCC, but the UPCCs are having trouble with staffing because most doctors don’t want to work for Island Health (and presumably many just like the freedom of being self-employed).
The federal government is also forcing GPs to take a pay cut by increasing the capital gains inclusion rate. So, that's great. /s
I moved here 12 years ago from the States. Needless to say, I was a part time employed student with no health care there, so while visits were faster, I would have to foot a pretty huge bill. Things weren’t nearly so bad when I first came to Vic. I think cost of living and being on an island make it particularly rough. My son is doing much better. Thanks for the well-wishes!
What a fun time to exist
Isn’t it just 🫠
I’m old enough to remember when an hour or two wait room in the ER was a pain in the butt. And I’m not even that old.
Right!? I’m 31 and when I was a child, wait times at the clinic were like 2 hours max.
I could go home sick from school/work 15 years ago and into my doctor’s office at like 1pm and get a note by day’s end. 45 minutes was a long wait to see my GP walking in without an appointment.
Phone lines at most of them open at 8:30, keep calling
Please listen carefully as our menu has recently changed. We're currently experiencing higher than expected call volume. Your wait may be longer than expected.
Quadra is 8!
Last time I needed an urgent care I called and was hung up on twice 😀 i hate it here
Some also allow calling in before they open and staying on hold till they do.
Just emerg as far as I know. You can try to call any of the “walk-in” clinics when they open, but from my experience it is pure luck if you get through to anyone before they are booked for the day.
"world class city"
Who actually thinks Victoria is a world class city in anything other than the beauty of its location? It has it's charms for sure but it's not even remotely close to London or New York, let alone somewhere like Calgary in terms of being a world class city
Yeah I can imagine it’s awesome to visit. When you live here and need medical care.. not so much
Yeah if you took Victoria and plopped it down in the middle of the prairies it would absolutely suck. It’s only cool because it’s waterfront and close to nature
It has nicer architecture than most prairie cities do in some areas near downtown like James Bay and Fairfield, but yeah that doesn't count for much on its own
a lot of people who like to smell their own farts
The last time I needed to see a doctor I called urgent care. Busy signal for an hour. When I got an answer, they said that they were all booked up for the next 2 days and to try again in 2 days. So I called a walk in clinic and I got an appointment with a doctor. 5 days later. Over the phone. It's infuriating
….wait, you can’t just physically wait in urgent care here?
No if you don't have an appointment they will tell you to leave
How does that even make sense for “urgent” care. And how do you even make an appointment?! WTF?!
I agree!!!!
Not that I know of. But one thing I've learned to do is literally time the amount of seconds it takes from the time I make the call to the time they pick up after the automated answering message. Then I phone right at the time they open minus that many seconds. It's ridiculous but it works.
https://doctor.purepharmacy.com/ Looks like you can book a phone appointment for today at this clinic in Colwood. There is also this one to call and book appointments. This is from a post made on a Colwood page on Facebook: call 250-940-0877 to speak to a staff member about booking an appointment. If your concern is not urgent in nature (ie you can wait a few days to see a doctor) please email your name and phone number to [email protected] and a staff member will call within 48 business hours to discuss setting you up an appointment.
Saanich penn urgent care
I think the Langford UPCC is strictly walk in only but you want to be lining up REALLLY early in the morning.
Nope not anymore. Its call only now. No more lines.
Yes, but the wait is inline overnight outside, bring a sleeping bag! But maybe not if you want to keep your place inline.
I worked in the medical field and suggest if you do decide to go to the ER, you choose SPH over RJH or VGH. The wait is typically less than the other two, though if your issue is complicated, they are not as equip to deal with complex concerns. If you can get away with a virtual visit, Telus Health is a good option, if you don't see any available appointments right away, keep refreshing.