New Patient Tips and Tricks for Manoeuvring Urgent Care in Brampton

How to Use Our Acute Care Clinic

Our daily acute care clinic at Brameast Family Health Organization is designed with you, our patient, in mind. We don’t plan on falling sick, but when we do, we want to be seen on the same day. Did you know that we reserve same-day appointments for acute care? These appointments are opened daily for patients requiring immediate same-day care. Whenever possible, call ahead to find out if you can get an appointment booked for the same day. If your doctor is fully booked, we will offer you an appointment with an alternative available physician. If there are no appointments left, we will then recommend that you come to the acute care clinic for urgent and acute care. Here are some general dos and don’ts for our acute care clinic:

• DO keep our emergency rooms free and see your family doctor for all your primary medical care needs.
• DO keep your medical information centralized to one medical chart at Brameast Family Health Organization to ensure continuity of your medical care.
• DO keep our acute care clinic efficient by using it for your urgent and acute care needs only.
• DON’T run out of your regular medication. Book your follow-up appointments early so that you get a time that suits your needs. If you are running out of medications, call our office to find out if you can get a prescription renewal done by your family doctor and book an appointment to follow-up on this renewal at the same time.
• DON’T go to alternate acute care clinics where the physicians are not aware of your medical history and will not be able to care for your medical needs on an ongoing basis.

Please book an appointment with your family doctor for any of the following concerns:
1. Forms (insurance and work)
2. Travel appointments
3. DOTs (Directly Observed Treatments)
4. Referrals to see specialists
5. Routine care (physicals, prescription renewals, follow-up appointments)
6. Care for chronic conditions (diabetes, blood pressure, etc.)

Please do not come to the acute care clinic for the concerns listed above. Our acute care clinic for urgent/acute care is open Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (summer hours will vary). Please check in by 6:00 PM. Call between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM on the weekend to book an appointment to see the doctor on call. If you need after-hours care, call our telehealth nurses through the Telephone Health Advisory Service at 1-866-553-7205 or proceed to the nearest emergency department (Brampton Civic Hospital or Peel Memorial Hospital) for immediate medical attention.

Streamlining Your Appointments

At Brameast Family Health Organization, your physician is committed to seeing you at your scheduled appointment time. Sometimes we run late because appointments are booked inaccurately. Sometimes we run behind because of unforeseen occurrences. Your patience is greatly appreciated when this happens. We need your continued cooperation to keep our schedules running efficiently. Help us to avoid delays and keep our schedules timely by adhering to these general guidelines for streamlining your appointments:

• Convenience – Book appointments that will be most suitable for you to attend. Your request will be accommodated based on the availability of your physician. Book your follow-up appointments early so that you get a time that suits your needs.
• Accuracy – Clearly define how many people need appointments so that everyone is allocated the correct amount of time and other patients can continue to be seen on a timely basis.
• Punctuality – Come early for your appointment and avoid delays in the parking lot.
• Duration – Clearly define the reason for your visit so that the correct amount of time is allocated for your appointment.
• Update Your Info – Before you visit our office, always ensure that your health card is valid. Check to see if it has a valid expiry date. Always ensure that we are kept informed of all address and phone number changes.
• Reschedule – If you are rebooking an appointment, please be sure to mention that you no longer require your existing appointment.
• Contact Us – Scheduled appointments mean that your physician has reserved a specific time exclusively to meet with you. Please let us know if you are unable to come for your appointment.
• Urgent Appointments – Same-day appointments are opened daily for patients requiring immediate care. An acute care clinic is available Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (Friday hours vary during the summer) and by appointment on the weekend when we are on call.

Our phone lines are open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM to close on weekends (summer hours will vary). Please call ahead and book an appointment. We do not offer acute care clinic appointments before 3:00 PM, with the exception of medical emergencies. Your physician is required to answer urgent inquiries for ongoing patient care and may on occasion be delayed by phone calls and medical consults.

7 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Medical Appointment

1. Please be on time.
If all patients arrived on time, the doctor would be able to keep appointments on time.

2. Don’t piggyback appointments.
Generally, a visit is for one or two problems. A list of separate distinct issues for appointments include physicals, immunizations, contraception, STI prevention, stress or anxiety, prescription reviews or renewals, acute care for newer concerns and so on. Please discuss the reason for your appointment with the front desk staff so that we can book your appointment accurately.

3. Lead with the important stuff.
Do address the most important point first because other non-priority points can wait for your next visit.

4. Bring a clear list of your medications and dosages.
Many patients have various specialists prescribing medications. Your family doctor needs to be aware of all your medications. Minimize misunderstandings or medication mix-ups.

5. Do the legwork.
If you are supposed to do tests, e.g. ultrasounds or bloodwork, do them on a timely basis, ahead of your next medical appointment.

6. Take a team approach.
As your physicians, we need you to work alongside us. We are partners on the same team and we strive to be careful and review your full medical presentation as we manage your health care together. Understand your risk factors for disease and what you can do about them.

7. Be patient.
We can accomplish a lot together, but remember, some things take time.

When It’s Not an Emergency, But It Can’t Wait

When you have an illness or injury that isn’t an emergency but just can’t wait to be seen by your family physician at Brameast Family Health Organization, it’s sometimes necessary to visit an Urgent Care Centre in Brampton. Ambulances do not go to an Urgent Care Centre. If you have severe chest pain, stroke symptoms or you are uncertain, always call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency department (Brampton Civic Hospital or Peel Memorial Hospital). No referral or appointment is needed and they’re staffed by emergency-trained doctors and nurses with on-site high-tech diagnostics available (including x-rays, CT scans and laboratory services). These types of services are usually covered by a valid Ontario health card. Visit the closest Urgent Care Centre for serious illnesses and injuries, including:

• Sprains, strains or broken bones
• Skin rashes
• Minor burns
• Cuts that may need stitches
• Earaches and eye injuries
• Fevers, coughs and colds
• Minor infections
• Nose and throat complaints
• Chest or abdominal pains
• Shortness of breath, dizziness/fainting

• Internal bleeding
• Numbness or weakness in arms or hands
• Major trauma
• Mental health issues
• Fever in infants (three months or younger)
• Overdoses/poisoning
• Pregnancy-related emergencies
• Seizures
• Stroke symptoms
• Any serious condition you feel is getting worse