Discussions

I just had major sugary a week ago and I find out today I am unable to see my GP for a follow up after my 2 week mark as instructed. First, I was told I was unable to make an appointment and would have to go through walk in, then I receive a call today saying that he will not do the follow up and will go in with walk in, ans today I get a call saying that I have to go through the doctor that did the surgery.. Well, there lies the problem, no one is there.  
 
I need my bandage changed as it is a special on and staples removed. What are my options? Wait 10 hours in emergency and hope they don't send me home like they have done in the pas (they wanted to send me home when my appendix burst after waiting 8 hours in emergency with a letter from the doctor and 6 hours prior in walk in).

I bet these folks can help you out. Hope you have a quick recovery!  
 
https://prairiemountainhealth.ca/our-locations/brandon/miic/

Yes try minor illness clinic. I took my husband there last month and the doctor was very thorough and tests ordered were done at BRHC in a timely manor. You can make an appointment there. Waiting room is nice and staff clerks and nurses were all very nice. Security guard on site as well.

Yes its unfortunate for many years now we have a drastic shortage of Doctors, Nurses, and other Health Care Professionals and its quite a wait to get in.  
 
The hospital will always give you the standard "see your Dr in so many days" after surgery but the reality is they have no idea what the actual wait is to see a Dr. Plus with the holidays they will be closed as well.  
 
I'm really surprised you don't follow up with the surgeon vs family Dr as that is usually the standard.  
 
Sadly many people do not even have a family Dr and would have to go to walk in. If you cannot get in to see the surgeon (which I think would be ideal) or your family Dr either walk in or you can pre-book an appointment with the Minor Illness and Injury clinic online, which is probably your best option.  
 
Hope you feel better soon!

I actually tried to book an appointment with my doctor (mention the surgery) they refused and said to come in one walkin, and then I received a phone call from the receptionist saying my doctor will not see me for a follow up on a walk in and to book in with my surgeon.  
Received a message from my surgeon and said that she was not able to see me. And try the treatment room (which requires an referral from the doctor and appointment).  
I was informed as well I would be turned away from the er if I went there.  
I'm just not seeing getting the appointment that I require with 2 days notice.

So sorry you are going through this. I would then book with the Minor Illness and Treatment center. How stressful for you.

Even if they allow me to go some where else, I do need to be evacuated. My surgery date was December 17th. And I think the chances of me getting an appointment for Tuesday the 30th pretty much slim to none. I have included the discharge papers notong that i need to contact my family physician. Does anyone know who fights for patients rights? I actually would like to see a doctor as some thing have come up that i have questions on. But he doesn't take that kind of an appointment on a walk in... again, falling through the cracks.

It says it's recommended, that doesn't mean you have to go to your primary care physician. So you can go to the minor injury clinic as multiple people have suggested, and make an appointment to follow up with your primary care physician as soon as they have openings.  
 
Not sure what a patient advocate would do for you, as the reason it's hard to get in anywhere is that there is a shortage of physicians. An advocate can't magically make more hours in a day or more doctors appear.

Thank you for saying what I wanted tobsay, but much more diplomatically.  
 
The reality is that everyone knows the system is broken, and things like the MIIC is an attempt to address some of these shortfalls. Use it. It's for exactly this situation.  
 
Also, frame your beef properly. They won't see you at all, or won't see you on YOUR timetable? There's a difference. I highly doubt they won't book you an appointment, they just can't accommodate you on the date you requested.  
 
I know for me, I have a doc but it takes 30 days to get an appointment. If I were having surgery, I would have asked up front about follow ups when I had my consultations, and had them booked before I even had my surgery. Unless you were on a cancelation list or had emergency surgery, but didn't have your follow-ups already booked, you failed to do your due diligence amd didn't advocate for yourself.  
 
I have health concerns, and I have several children with ongoing medical issues. It's important that you advocate for yourself AND be proactive about your care. We all know wait times are an issue. We all know it can be hard to get appointments. But it's the system we currently have until we have more staff and facilities. Ask questions. Know what is needed from YOU to make your care go smoothly. Advocate for yourself BEFORE you encounter a critical timeline. Educate yourself what options are available.  
 
I am not saying the health care situation is your fault, but there are steps we can undertake to make sure we get the best care possible under circumstances provided. Sometimes we need a patient advocate, but only after you've advocated for yourself FIRST.  
 
/rant

I had 3 weeks to prepare for this surgery.  
3 days prior I had finally gotten the time of my surgery. And instructions that a 2 week follow up was needed. They told they couldn't book an appointment. (Yes I told it was for surgery) they also said to call my gyno. Called my gyno, she said to call my family doctor or somewhere else. I have been trying since December 15th .  
It's not poor planning on my part.  
I didn't even have 30 days to let my employer know i would be gone for 2 months  
 
This is not a normal check up , this is staple removal, new dressing on the wound. What you you would be standard care after major surgery. There is no one to "contact " on the brandon clinic website as they are all owners. Thier contact us is just the phone number. I did do one for the hospital.  
 
I attempted many time to make an appointment with my doctors but everytime I was shot down. Even the appointment i have on Tuesday might not be approved.  
 
I just think it is idiotic that they decided to schedule someone for a major surgery and not be able to properly care for them afterwards. Not all of us know about every single type of medical office in brandon.  
 
Edited by Snowball, 2024-12-28 03:52:07

As stated before in this thread, call the Minor Injury Clinic and book an appointment. Staple removal and dressing changes are part of what they do. I know because I had to call them concerning the same thing. They are open every day long hours and will be able to get you in within a day or 2. It may not be your ideal, but it is a very good option . As stated by Abby’s mum we have to be proactive and do the best we can with what we have as options. The minor injury clinic is a very good option.