Practice Policies

PRACTICE POLICIES

* Please note that some of the following policies may be affected by current COVID protocols *

In order to ensure that you receive the best care possible, and to ensure that the office runs smoothly, we have initiated several policies in our practice:

APPOINTMENTS

In order to serve you better, we have set aside time for same day visits, but please call beforehand to check for availability of space.

MEDICATIONS

It can be beneficial to always carry with you an up to date list of all the medications and supplements (vitamins, herbs, etc.) that you are taking.

UNRELATED MEDICAL PROBLEMS REQUIRE SEPARATE APPOINTMENTS

In order to practically deal with your concerns thoroughly and effectively, we cannot deal with several unrelated medical concerns at one visit. Please let us know at the start of your appointment what your concerns are so that we can deal with the most important problem(s) at that visit. If you wish to discuss other unrelated concerns, then please book additional appointments.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you need to cancel an appointment please contact us 24 hours before the scheduled time, so that your appointment time can be used by another person who may be waiting to be seen.

You may be billed for a missed appointment in accordance with the length of the appointment booked. If you frequently do not show for booked office visits, you may no longer be offered appointments.

TEST RESULTS

If your results require action, then our office will contact you. All other results will be reviewed at your next regularly scheduled appointment. If you would like to review your test results, then please book an appointment.

Lab results done at LifeLabs can be accessed by you electronically at www.myehealth.ca. This service is available to patients over the age of 16 only.

IN-HOSPITAL CARE

All the physicians in our clinic have full hospital privileges, and will continue to be involved in your care when you are admitted to hospital. This puts us in the best position to coordinate your care with all members of the team who will be taking care of you.

“UNINSURED” SERVICES

There are many services that the Medical Services Plan does not cover. MSP considers these services to be “non-medically necessary” and are therefore “uninsured”. These services are billable to patients directly and payment is due upon receipt of the service.

PRESCRIPTIONS WILL NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED OVER THE PHONE, BY FAX OR EMAIL

Long term medication requires follow up. We will provide you with enough medication until your condition needs to be reassessed. Under certain circumstances, and if it is safe to do so, it may be possible to renew prescriptions without seeing you. If you need a supply of medications for a short time until your next appointment, please contact your pharmacy for an advance of medications.

Please refrain from asking family members to obtain refills for you at their appointments.

IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES MEDICAL ADVICE MAY NOT BE PROVIDED OVER THE PHONE

We may prefer to discuss medical issues in person during appointment times.

Your physician may indicate his/her wish to follow up on some problems by telephone.

CHART TRANSFER FEE

There may be a fee of $31 charged for all chart transfers to another clinic.

FORMS AND LETTERS

If you need to have a form or letter completed or signed, then please let our staff know before your appointment. This service is billable to patients directly as it is not covered by MSP.

Note: In many circumstances extended medical plans will cover the cost of many “uninsured” services. We will be pleased to issue a receipt so that you can claim the expense against your extended medical plan and income taxes.

NOTE: If you are experiencing financial difficulties, then please speak to your doctor about your circumstances.

OFFICE HOURS

Regular office hours are from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday. Phone are answered from 9 am to 5 pm.

SAME DAY CARE

We recognize that some problems need to be seen on the same day and we would prefer to see you on the same day that you call for medical attention of these problems. Please call the office about a same day appointment. There will be time set aside, mornings and afternoons, for these appointments.

WALK-IN SERVICE

There is a walk-in service available through our RN for urgent issues, if there are no same day appointments available. Please see your physician’s receptionist upon arrival to the clinic to be added to the nurse’s list.

Ingram Family Physicians is not accepting new patients at this time.

Contact Information

Hours: Mon to Fri (9am to 5pm)
Phone: 250-746-4401
Fax: 250-746-4473
Address: 103 – 149 Ingram St.
Duncan, BC V9L 1N8

General medical advice can be obtained free of charge by calling the 24-Hour BC HealthGuide Nurse Line at 1-866-215-4700 for advice.

For after hours emergencies, please go to the Emergency Department of your local hospital.

 

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

In case of an emergency, please dial 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital

HealthLink BC (nurse’s hotline) – Dial 811

Suicide Prevention:  1-800-784-2433

Seniors Distress Line:  1-604-872-1234

Crisis Line:  1-866-661-3311

Cowichan District Hospital:  250-737-2030

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