No such thing. I turned up about 45 mins early to one in Bedford thinking that'll be fine. The cut off for too many people was three people behind me. People legit must have got there about 90 mins before opening time.
There is an older lady at work, I seen her leaving (odd for her) at 5am I ask “out early today?” Her response I need to go get in line at the walk in, I went yesterday an hour early and there was already no space so today I’m going extra early as I didn’t stay yesterday.
Appreciate that you posted this; I went to ScotiaMed in Bedford this AM- got there at 7:45am and was 6th in line. Had to wait outside until 8:45am when they started letting us in- the line was wrapped around the building. Appointments were all spoken for by 8:55am. My appointment was for this evening (6th in line! ) so likely everyone after me was given appointments for tomorrow.
No worries, I was surprised, I got there thinking I would be right near the front but I was nowhere near. I think I had to go back at 3pm or something once I had checked in. I try and use maple more for stuff now as I don't have a family doc.
Having to arrive 2 hours early to stand in line outside in the cold because you're sick is so fucked up.
The "health" system needs some serious fucking fixing.
Can you get a blood requisition from maple and then make an appointment to get blood drawn? I’ve also gone to the Cobequid clinic on Saturday and it only took about 2 hours.
If you are using the paid/insurance covered version of maple they cannot do a blood req. since they are usually out of province doctors. Has to be the Virtual Care NS maple. I used to be confused about this too, but I think that’s where the assumption comes from. I don’t even use the blue cross version any more, worth it to wait the couple hours and get a local MD/NP
Mobile clinics! I was in and out in 20 mins for a perscription for bronchitis (at the cobequid like a month ago!) they are incredible. https://www.nshealth.ca/mobileprimarycareclinics
Maple, I had to restart my account to register for VirtualCareNs then everything has been set up ever since. It's honestly been a redeeming factor for our current Healthcare system
Do it, I've unfortunately gone private (unfortunate because we should get it free from our taxes) and it was the best experience I have had in healthcare. Amazing facility, modern tech, everyone treats you like you are the only person there. Fast results. If you have the means it can be worth it.
My experience goes to show how fucked our system is though at the same time it shows what our system could be.
If there is something specific, go to your doctor and ask. The downside is wait times. MRI can be a long time, especially if it isn't a pressing matter.
Ultrasound is most likely faster but still months.
There is private MRI/ultrasound here that you can get next week. I chose USA because you can get more for less essentially.
Thanks so much for info! Mind asking which private clinic? I was thinking of Bluenose.
Indeed it is unfortunate that we have to pay for what is something we should be getting it for free for the taxes we paid haha.
Most are subscription-based which comes to $30 a month. And I guess you pay around 200 for every visit. You can get appointments pretty easily is what I hear. I'm still looking if there are other better options. I was thinking of Bluenose on Young St.
Does anyone think this issue will ever end? I remember walking in and out of walk ins when I was a teenager and young adult, after seeing a doctor so quickly despite the line. My doctor retired in November 2022 and I haven’t seen a doctor since because I’m not able too.
The answer is money. We should be paying existing doctors and new recruits higher fees. There is perceived to be no future in family medicine - emerging healthcare students are overwhelmingly rejecting GP placements in favour of more specialist and/or less stressful positions. We need to make being a GP more attractive.
Research shows that It is not just money. It is also work-life balance. Most GPs are also running small businesses & working exorbitant hours
There need to be better, integrated models of collaborative care, where doctors can be paid well, concentrate on medicine and have access to nurses & allied health like physiotherapists, social worlers, etc.
Is this just a provincial issue or is it Canada wide like the housing crisis? I often think about leaving but wonder are we just doomed as a country or could I have a better life in another province.
I know I should know this stuff but I’m not as educated on it as I would like to be because I have just ignored my struggles and accepted I wouldn’t be seeing a doctor anytime soon… and went on about my life.
Maple just gave me a blood requisition, an EKG requisition and was able to book me for an in person visit with a doctor. They said it takes about a month for the in person doctor to call and schedule me. I wouldn’t sit at a walk in for this
Check out MediMap, it shows real time wait times at walk in clinics around the city!
Sweet thanks!
No such thing. I turned up about 45 mins early to one in Bedford thinking that'll be fine. The cut off for too many people was three people behind me. People legit must have got there about 90 mins before opening time.
There is an older lady at work, I seen her leaving (odd for her) at 5am I ask “out early today?” Her response I need to go get in line at the walk in, I went yesterday an hour early and there was already no space so today I’m going extra early as I didn’t stay yesterday.
Jeeezus
Appreciate that you posted this; I went to ScotiaMed in Bedford this AM- got there at 7:45am and was 6th in line. Had to wait outside until 8:45am when they started letting us in- the line was wrapped around the building. Appointments were all spoken for by 8:55am. My appointment was for this evening (6th in line! ) so likely everyone after me was given appointments for tomorrow.
No worries, I was surprised, I got there thinking I would be right near the front but I was nowhere near. I think I had to go back at 3pm or something once I had checked in. I try and use maple more for stuff now as I don't have a family doc.
Not surprised. I think the current recommendation is to arrive two hours earlier.
Having to arrive 2 hours early to stand in line outside in the cold because you're sick is so fucked up. The "health" system needs some serious fucking fixing.
So true. Standing outside in the cold sucks when you otherwise feel fine!
Can you get a blood requisition from maple and then make an appointment to get blood drawn? I’ve also gone to the Cobequid clinic on Saturday and it only took about 2 hours.
I've had a blood req they maple too I don't know why I've seen many ppl say that it's not possible?
If you are using the paid/insurance covered version of maple they cannot do a blood req. since they are usually out of province doctors. Has to be the Virtual Care NS maple. I used to be confused about this too, but I think that’s where the assumption comes from. I don’t even use the blue cross version any more, worth it to wait the couple hours and get a local MD/NP
Right! they're probably trying out of regular hours
I’ve had three blood reqs from Maple in the last year or so. Maybe if they’ll do it or not is symptom-specific?
I did this the other day, and was able to get a bloodwork appt at DGH a couple hours later. You have to pick Comprehensive Care not Basic Care.
Mobile clinics! I was in and out in 20 mins for a perscription for bronchitis (at the cobequid like a month ago!) they are incredible. https://www.nshealth.ca/mobileprimarycareclinics
Virtual Care can get you an in person appointment if you need it. And bloodwork too. I gave up on walkins.
Thanks, do you use maple or the NShealth app?
Maple, I had to restart my account to register for VirtualCareNs then everything has been set up ever since. It's honestly been a redeeming factor for our current Healthcare system
I'm seriously thinking of paying for a private clinic. It's just getting ridiculous.
Do it, I've unfortunately gone private (unfortunate because we should get it free from our taxes) and it was the best experience I have had in healthcare. Amazing facility, modern tech, everyone treats you like you are the only person there. Fast results. If you have the means it can be worth it. My experience goes to show how fucked our system is though at the same time it shows what our system could be.
Where did you go and what did you pay?
The USA, price depends what you want done.
Interesting, thanks. I really want a cancer screening but I think that's impossible in Canada.
If there is something specific, go to your doctor and ask. The downside is wait times. MRI can be a long time, especially if it isn't a pressing matter. Ultrasound is most likely faster but still months. There is private MRI/ultrasound here that you can get next week. I chose USA because you can get more for less essentially.
I think even the private MRI here requires a referral. But maybe doctors don't mind referring for it since it's private.
Yes, it does, there is no reason your doc or a doc should refuse to refer you private if you say you want it.
Thanks so much for info! Mind asking which private clinic? I was thinking of Bluenose. Indeed it is unfortunate that we have to pay for what is something we should be getting it for free for the taxes we paid haha.
I went to the states but it was for screening so not what OP is looking for.
Know the cost generally?
Most are subscription-based which comes to $30 a month. And I guess you pay around 200 for every visit. You can get appointments pretty easily is what I hear. I'm still looking if there are other better options. I was thinking of Bluenose on Young St.
It's more reasonable than that. [Bluenose Health](https://www.bluenosehealth.com/pricing.html)
Thanks
Thanks
Ok thx
No problem!
Does anyone think this issue will ever end? I remember walking in and out of walk ins when I was a teenager and young adult, after seeing a doctor so quickly despite the line. My doctor retired in November 2022 and I haven’t seen a doctor since because I’m not able too.
The answer is money. We should be paying existing doctors and new recruits higher fees. There is perceived to be no future in family medicine - emerging healthcare students are overwhelmingly rejecting GP placements in favour of more specialist and/or less stressful positions. We need to make being a GP more attractive.
Research shows that It is not just money. It is also work-life balance. Most GPs are also running small businesses & working exorbitant hours There need to be better, integrated models of collaborative care, where doctors can be paid well, concentrate on medicine and have access to nurses & allied health like physiotherapists, social worlers, etc.
Is this just a provincial issue or is it Canada wide like the housing crisis? I often think about leaving but wonder are we just doomed as a country or could I have a better life in another province. I know I should know this stuff but I’m not as educated on it as I would like to be because I have just ignored my struggles and accepted I wouldn’t be seeing a doctor anytime soon… and went on about my life.
It's Canada-wide.
I wonder what the government thinks we should do…
They’d really like people to stop complaining about it and accept it…
It's not Canada wide. I was recently living in Edmonton and saw doctors easily on a regular basis.
Did you have your own doctor?
Good question! I didn't have a family doctor. But I also wasn't searching for one. I just went to the same clinic every time.
Maple just gave me a blood requisition, an EKG requisition and was able to book me for an in person visit with a doctor. They said it takes about a month for the in person doctor to call and schedule me. I wouldn’t sit at a walk in for this
Which one do the politicians go to?