Waves Family Medicine Patient Policy

To our patients,

We would like to make you aware of the clinic policies and procedures. Please don't hesitate to speak with one of us at your next appointment if you have any questions or concerns.

Rostering

You will need to complete a short form to enroll as a rostered patient of our practice. This enables us to provide more options for access to care.

Office hours

These will vary on a week-to-week basis as we provide comprehensive family medicine which involves hospital care, palliative care, and home visits where appropriate.

Virtual visits

  • We will be conducting virtual visits through telephone as well as video chats.

  • Ensure your phone allows for calls from blocked/private numbers.

  • Our no-show policy applies.

  • Please be ready in a quiet area with good reception 10 minutes prior to your appointment time.

  • Do not operate a vehicle during your appointment.

Code of conduct

  • We work hard as a team to provide you with high quality care.

  • There is a ZERO tolerance policy at the clinic for abuse or disrespect aimed at any physician or staff member. Inappropriate behaviour, profanity, or aggression will result in immediate dismissal from the practice.

  • We are happy to receive respectful communication about any concerns or issues you notice.

  • Masks are required for all in-person appointments for the foreseeable future for all persons entering the clinic greater than 2 years old.

  • Inform the clinic of any cough/fever/flu/cold/vomiting symptoms when booking an appointment. If an in-person appointment is needed we will book these appointments in a fashion that reduces exposure to other patients.

  • Modifying any prescriptions, requisitions, or other medical documents is fraud.

Clinic atmosphere

  • We aim to offer a respectful environment free of discrimination. We ask that you please be respectful of others' privacy and space during your wait and appointment.

  • We encourage active travel (walking, biking) to our appointments and will do our best to support this.

  • Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the premise.

  • You will be offered a chaperone for exams of intimate areas.

Appointment booking

  • If your family physician is away you may be offered an appointment with the other physician or may access the after-hours clinic to see a physician for urgent issues.

  • We will offer online booking in the future. These appointments must be confirmed by our reception after they've been put into the online system and may be adjusted.

  • To help us schedule appropriately, please give the reception as much information as possible about your visit — if there are multiple issues you would like to address, please inform reception of all issues.

Why is my doctor running late?

  • We do our best to stay on schedule. Despite scheduling appointments, it is impossible to determine ahead of time how long a visit will take.

  • To help us schedule appropriately, please give the reception as much information as possible about your visit — if there are multiple issues you would like to address, please inform reception of all issues.

  • We also provide care in hospital, at home, and in long term care, so unforeseen issues may come up that take us away from the office. We will do our best to reschedule.

After-hours clinic

  • These visits are for urgent issues that occur outside of regular office hours.

  • Monday to Thursday 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm   

  • Appointments are held at the Remedy’s Rx Pharamacy in Midland, 619 Prospect Blvd.

  • Call our clinic to book, 705-355-WAVE (9283).

Late arrivals

As above, if we are running late it is often due to unforeseeable circumstances or addressing patient concerns. We appreciate the value of your and other patients' time. 

However, to avoid unnecessary delays, you will be asked to rebook an appointment if you arrive more than half way through your scheduled visit.

No-show

If you do not attend your appointment (whether virtual or in-person) and do not notify us in advance of your absence there will be a charge as this prevents access for other patients. Missed appointments with the doctors and/or nurse are subject to the following fees:

  • $10.00 fee for missed 10 minute appointment

  • $20.00 fee for missed 20 minute appointment

  • $30.00 fee for missed 30 minute appointment

  • $40.00 fee for missed 40 minute appointment

Missed appointment fees will be applied directly to your file. If you would like to rebook your appointment, please call to reschedule.

Repeated missed appointments can result in your removal from the practice.

Controlled substances

(e.g. Opioids: tylenol 3, morphine, hydromorphone, tramadol, percocet, fentanyl, oxycodone; Benzodiazepines: lorazepam, clonazepam, oxazepam, diazepam; Stimulants: ritalin, concerta, vyvanse, adderall, biphentin)

If you are taking these medications, be aware that random urine drug screens will be performed as per recommendations from the college of physicians and surgeons. Failure to provide a sample when requested will result in discontinuation of your prescription.

All prescriptions for controlled substances will be faxed directly to your pharmacy.

Communication

  • We believe that every result should be communicated to a patient. If you do not hear back from us about the result of a test (usually under 1 week for bloodwork and under 2 weeks for x-ray/CT scan/MRI scan) please reach out to us to find out your result.

  • Please inform us if a referral was sent and you have not heard back within 4weeks.

  • We encourage you to create a Medeo account so that we can communicate normal or non-complicated issues to you electronically.

Teaching

You will regularly encounter family medicine resident physicians and medical students in our practice that will be involved in providing your care. They review all cases with the supervising physician. They are capable of different levels of responsibility.

If you have any feedback it is greatly appreciated.

Services not covered by OHIP

  • Many medical forms (driver's medical, travel forms, sports/job clearance, records requests, insurance documents) — you will have to book a clinic visit to have these completed. We understand that the extra cost will be difficult for some patients. If this is the case, please speak with your physician about this.

  • Visits or procedures done for cosmetic reasons

  • Wart treatment (other than to feet/genital area)

  • Ear flushing

  • Certain immunizations