The Hamilton Academy of Medicine fields 200 phone calls per week from patients. The following categories include some of the most frequently asked questions and answers:
- Finding a Doctor or Specialist
- Uninsured Medical Costs
- About Patient Records
- Women’s Health
- About Clinics
- About Hospitals
- About Prescriptions
- Immunizations & Flu Shots
Finding a Family Doctor or Specialist
How do I find a family doctor who may accept new patients in Hamilton?
Use our “Find a Doctor” list on this website. This brief list provides the contact information of member family doctors who are accepting new patients. For some physicians, there may be a waiting list.
Why do I need a referral to see a specialist?
The Hamilton Academy of Medicine recommends that all patients establish a medical relationship with a family physician who will best be able to assess your specific medical condition and make appropriate and necessary referrals. A patient cannot see a specialist without a referral from a family physician.
Why do I have to wait so long for some diagnostic tests and specialist referrals?
With some specific specialty groups and diagnostic testing equipment, our community is understaffed and underfunded, which sometimes results in a longer waiting period than we would like for our patients. Unfortunately funding is not available to operate diagnostic equipment 24-hours a day.
Why do I have to have an “interview” appointment with a doctor?
It is important that you meet and discuss your health history with a new physician to acquaint yourselves with each other and understand what patient care you expect from your new doctor and in turn, what care can be provided by your new physician.
Can my doctor ask me to find another doctor?
Yes. If your physician feels that he or she can no longer provide the care you expect from him/her, then it is appropriate for the doctor to ask you to seek the services of another physician. Emergency Rooms will never deny you emergency care.
A list of Family Doctors who may be accepting new patients can be obtained by using our “Find a Doctor” online service. Because of the critical shortage of family doctors in Hamilton, it may be very difficult or not possible to find another doctor.
How many new doctors can I visit in one year?
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has not put restrictions on the number of doctors you can visit in one year, however, it is advised that you seek the services of only one family physician at a time. The Hamilton Academy of Medicine recommends that all patients establish a medical relationship with a family physician who will best be able to assess your specific medical condition and make appropriate and necessary referrals.
What is a reasonable time frame to wait for a specialist appointment?
It is difficult to provide a specific answer to this issue. Our community is understaffed in some specialty areas that sometimes result in a longer waiting period than we would like for our patients. Most physicians agree that these waits are unacceptable and encourage you to call your local Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to express your concerns.
My doctor has seen me and won’t refer me to a specialist. He/she doesn’t think it’s necessary. What do I do?
Family doctors use their judgment and expertise to determine appropriate referrals. They have a responsibility to their colleagues and patients to ensure these referrals are appropriate.
If you disagree with your doctor’s judgment after this explanation, then you have the option of changing your family doctor.
Uninsured Medical Costs
What is considered a reasonable cost for a patient chart transfer?
Your doctor should have a guide of recommended fees from The Hamilton Academy of Medicine for Third Party and Uninsured Services. Fees can vary due to the nature and complexity of the Chart.
What is considered a reasonable time frame for a doctor to fill out WSIB Forms, Insurance Forms and Sick Benefit Forms?
The top priority in any physician’s office is to care for the patients with health problems that require immediate or urgent attention. Forms and other administrative work are done as quickly as possible. Physicians are aware of time restrictions and guidelines pertaining to some forms and it is in the physician’s best interest to make every attempt to meet the pre-set deadlines. Patients should always advise the office in advance if they are bringing forms that require completion by the doctor within a specific timeframe.
Most doctors will complete forms within sixty (60) days of receipt, but circumstances vary and should be discussed with your doctor.
Do I have to pay for each Sick Benefit Form that is filled out if it’s just to fill in dates?
A note is a legal document – the cost of which reflects the doctor’s time, education, expertise and responsibility. As with any profession, these charges reflect this.
About Patient Records
Is there a cost to transfer my medical chart when my doctor chooses to close his/her practice?
Your medical chart is an important and valuable legal record of your health and medical treatment rendered to you, prepared and maintained by your physician. Under current guidelines, your physician (or the physician taking over your doctor’s practice) is required to maintain your chart or a copy of your chart for ten (10) years*. The costs and time involved with transferring your chart, such as photocopying, clerical, postage/courier expenses and storage, are administrative. These services are not covered by your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
*Other regulations apply to patients 18 years of age and under.
Do I have the right to examine my medical charts?
Your chart is a complex, legal document detailing your total health care record, prepared by your personal physician and should only be interpreted by such. If you have questions about your medical chart, we recommend that you make an appointment to review your concerns and your chart with your physician.
Current regulations indicate that physicians, under certain cirumstances, may refuse to provide a patient with access to his/her medical records.
How long does a doctor legally need to keep a chart?
The law requires that records be kept for at least ten years after the date of the last entry in the record or until 10 years after the day on which the patient reached or would have reached the age of 18 years; or until the physician ceases to practice medicine, whichever occurs first. For records of Family Medicine and Primary Care, a physician who ceases to practice medicine shall: transfer them to a member with the same address and phone number; or notify each patient that the records will be destroyed two years after the notification and that the patient may obtain the records or have the member transfer the records to another physician within the two years.**
**Please see the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario "Policy on Medical Records #5-05"for a comprehensive explanation about patient records.
Women’s Health
Where can I get birth control pills, STD tests and sexual health counseling?
The Hamilton Academy of Medicine recommends that you consult your family physician to discuss your particular needs and options regarding your sexual health and activity.
If you are a student at a local College or University, contraceptive information is available through your Student Health Office.
Sexual Health Clinics
| Health Initiatives for Youth Hamilton | 905 528-3009 |
| Ancaster | 905 628-3000 |
| Dundas | 905 628-3000 |
| Hamilton Mountain | 905 546-3274 |
| Hamilton East | 905 546-3750 |
| Waterdown | 905 546-2424 Ex. 7479 |
| Street Health Centre | 905 777-7852 |
| Well Woman Clinic | 905 546-2424 Ex. 2011 |
I am pregnant and can't find a Family Doctor?
The Maternity Centre of Hamilton, 180 James St. S., #302, 905 528-5553 can provide pre-natal care and perform deliveries. You will still need to search for a family physician to take care of health-care issues unrelated to your pregnancy.
Does a doctor have to have someone else present during my pap smear?
It is up to the doctor’s discretion. If you would like someone in addition to the physician present during the examination, please discuss it with your doctor in advance of your appointment.
Why can’t I see a female doctor for just my pap smear and still have my family doctor for everything else?
It is recommended that you have one family doctor. Busy female family doctors provide complete primary care and do not limit their practices to pap smears. If you are uncomfortable with your doctor in any way, you should discuss this with him/her.
About Clinics
After-Hours' Walk-in Clinics
The Hamilton Academy of Medicine recommends that you call your family physician first. If you have a true life-threatening emergency you should call 911 for emergency paramedic assistance.
If you do not have a family physician and need to have non-emergent medical attention, a list of community walk-in clinics is provided under the "Clinics/Labs" tab.
Is there a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Hamilton?
Where can I get an HIV test? The Hamilton Academy of Medicine encourages patients to contact your Family Doctor with your health problems or concerns.
The STD clinic located at the Hamilton General Hospital provides confidential testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. This is a walk-in clinic, no appointment necessary. An Ontario Health Card is not required and most medications are free of cost.
Public health nurses provide anonymous HIV testing to individuals on a walk-in basis. Clients are assigned an ID number to ensure anonymity. Test results return in 10 days to 2 weeks. It is necessary for clients to return to the clinic to receive results. Extensive pre and post test counselling is offered.
For further information on both STD & anonymous HIV Testing Clinic hours of operation & location, contact the STD/HIV Program Secretary 905 546-3541 or the Sexual Health Information Line 905 546-5894.
Are there any methadone clinics in the city?
Yes. The locations of the methadone clinics in the community are provided under the "Clinics/Labs" tab.
Where can I find information about Addiction and Addiction Services?
MEN
MEN'S WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT CENTRE - 595 Main St. E. Hamilton ON Telephone
905 527-9264
SUNTRAC RECOVERY - 293 Wellington St. N. Suite 106, Box 368 Hamilton ON L8L 7W2
905 528-0389 www.suntrac.ca
WOMEN
WOMANKIND ADDICTION SERVICE - 431 Whitney Ave. Hamilton ON Withdrawal Telephone
905 545-9100
ALL (Adult)
HAMILTON ALCOHOL DRUG & GAMBLING SERVICES - 21 Hunter St. E.
About Hospitals
What is a reasonable time frame to wait for surgery?
Life-threatening and true emergent cases take priority over non-urgent and elective surgeries. Elective surgeries may be subject to cancellation and rescheduling due to the lack of available beds in the ICU or on the surgical ward.
Our member physicians agree that many of these waits are unacceptable and encourage you to share your concerns with your local member of provincial parliament.
Many of the waits are prolonged due to lack of operating room time and hospital beds.
Why can’t I pay the doctor here and have the surgery instead of travelling outside of Ontario?
Under terms of The Canada Health Act it is illegal to pay an Ontario physician directly for services deemed medically necessary.
Please contact your Federal Member of Parliament to have this explained.
Why aren’t the operating rooms being used 24-hours a day?
There are simply not enough health-care workers or health-care funds to make this a viable option.
Who do I speak with if I have a concern regarding the care I received while in hospital?
You should relay your concerns to the Hospital’s Chief of Staff, along with the Head of the Service or Department.
About Prescriptions
Why can’t my doctor just phone the pharmacy and renew a prescription that I have been on for a long time?
Your physician is required to re-assess your medical condition on a regular basis to ensure that no changes have occurred that would require altering of your current medications.
Prescription medications have the potential of causing serious harm even after years of ongoing use. For many chronic illnesses, your doctor may give you prescription repeats for up to one year, however, patients on chronic-illness medications should be monitored annually or as directed by your personal physician.
My prescription just ran out and my doctor won’t renew my prescription. What can I do?
The Hamilton Academy of Medicine recommends that you anticipate ahead of time when you will run out of medication. If your doctor will not renew your prescription, there may be a good reason and this should be discussed with your doctor.
If your doctor is not available, individual pharmacists may sometimes have short-term solutions. We do recommend making an appointment with your doctor to renew your prescription.
Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before stopping medications suddenly.
Immunizations & Flu Shots
For information on Immunization and other health programs and services (including Long-Term Care) visit the City of Hamilton's Social and Public Health Services.
The 2010 Community Health Influenza Vaccination Program has begun. For a list of clinics and other information, call 905-546-CITY (2489) or www.hamilton.ca/influenza.
