Shelbourne Medical Clinic – Frequently Asked Questions:

 Click on a question to view the answer. 

When should I come to the Shelbourne Medical Clinic?

Schedule an appointment at the Shelbourne Medical Clinic when you have a problem which you think needs medical attention and you don’t have a doctor or your own doctor is not available to see you. If you have a family doctor, it is preferable you see them as they know you and have your medical history. Please note you must schedule your appointment by telephone. We do not accept in person registrations at this time. If you think you have a life threatening problem, call 911 immediately and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department. When you register for an appointment with one of the doctors, the receptionist will ask about your problem to assess its severity and urgency. Patients are registered in the order in which they book; however, please note there may be reasons to triage someone in front of you and this will be done at the discretion of our staff. If you think you have a life threatening problem, please go directly to emergency.. If after being seen by the doctor a transfer to the hospital is required, the doctor will advise you to go to emergency or will call you an ambulance, as appropriate. The doctor will notify the Emergency Department about the nature of your problem and will advise them that you are on your way.

Do you have a doctor available in the medical clinic all the time?

Yes, we have a doctor on duty during all regularly scheduled clinic hours. Please check the doctors’ schedule for any last minute clinic closures. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the schedule may change without notice. We stop registering patients when our same-day appointment spaces are fully booked. If we are fully booked when you call, you will need to try to call us again the following day. We do not schedule appointments in advance.

How long will I wait to see a doctor?

This depends on how busy the medical clinic is on the day you are speaking with or seeing a doctor. We strive to keep waiting times as short as possible and do our best to estimate when a doctor will call or be able to see you. Please know, however, that our doctors will spend as much time as necessary with each person to properly address their problem. If you have multiple concerns, please tell the doctor at the start, to help decide which one(s) should be dealt with first. We may not be able to address all your concerns in one visit.

How confidential is the information I give the doctor/medical receptionist?

All information you provide to the doctor or medical receptionist is completely confidential. This information stays in your clinic records and will not be disclosed to any other person without your written permission. If you want a friend or family member to know about your health problem, we suggest you have them present when you speak with the doctor.

Is my visit covered by the Medical Services Plan of B.C.?

Yes, all medically necessary visits are covered by the Medical Services plan as long as you have a valid BC CareCard. Completion of forms are not usually covered by the Medical Services Plan. A private fee applies to some treatments and forms for driver’s license assessments, work, disability, sick notes, insurance, etc.

Can I call the medical clinic to discuss my test results?

When your test results are received at the clinic, they are reviewed by the doctor on duty. We call you only if a result needs to be discussed with you or further testing or treatment is required. Most people will not receive a call. If you wish to discuss your test results, or if your symptoms continue, please call to schedule a follow up appointment. Most test results take 2 to 3 days to be reported to the medical clinic.  Tests such as HIV take about 10 days and pap tests can take 6+ weeks. Our receptionists are not able to discuss your test results or provide medical advice. You can access and view your lab results by signing up with My eHealth. You may also request a copy of your test results when you are at the clinic. Please ask the receptionist.

What if I need to see a specialist?

If our doctor determines you need to see a specialist, the doctor will write a referral letter informing the specialist of your problem. When an appointment date is received from the specialist’s office, the clinic will notify you. The length of time it takes to get an appointment with a specialist varies, depending on the nature and severity of your problem and how far ahead the specialist is booked. If you feel that your medical condition has worsened while you wait for the appointment, please make an appointment to discuss with one of our doctors. If they feel it necessary, they will send the specialists office an update. Specialist appointments are covered by the Medical Services Plan of B.C. if you have a valid B.C. CareCard.

Can I see a specific doctor if I wish?

Yes, you can see a specific doctor. Check the doctors’ schedule to see when that doctor is on duty. Please ensure you call at opening on the day that doctor is working to book an appointment with them, even if that doctor doesn’t start until later in the day. We begin booking first thing in the morning and will book until all of our doctor’s appointments are full for the day.