FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A FAMILY HEALTH TEAM?A Family Health Team is an approach to primary health care that brings together different complementary health care providers to co-ordinate the highest possible quality of care for you – the patient. Our Family Health Team consists of Family Physicians, a Psychiatrist, a Nurse Practitioner, Dietitians, Diabetic Educators, a Mental Health Worker, Registered Nurses, an Occupational Therapist, Health Promoter and Admin/Support Staff working collaboratively, each utilizing their experience and skills so that you receive the very best care, when you need it, as close to home as possible.
HOW DO I BECOME A PATIENT OF THE SHARBOT LAKE FAMILY HEALTH TEAM?We currently are accepting new patients. You must live within our catchment area which includes Central Frontenac as well as portions of North & South Frontenac. Please call our office at 613-279-2100 to see if you live in our catchment area.
CAN I BE SEEN WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT?Monday to Friday clinic hours are by appointment ONLY and must be scheduled in advance. We try to accommodate urgent same-day requests where possible through a limited number of same-day appointments. Call our office at 613-279-2100 if you require an appointment for that day.
No appointment is required to attend the After Hours evening clinics on Monday and Wednesday (5:00 pm to 8:00 pm). The After Hours evening clinics are for urgent or emergent issues ONLY.
ARE ALL SERVICES COVERED BY OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)?No, many services are not covered by OHIP. The following are not covered by OHIP and there may be a Fee:
- Forms, i.e., insurance papers, work or school notes
- Driver’s Physicals
- Faxing/photocopying when provided for a third party or for personal use
- Transfer of medical records at the request of the patient
WHY DO I NEED TO BRING MY OHIP CARD?Presenting your valid OHIP card is necessary at each visit as it provides proof of eligibility for OHIP. There could be a fee for not providing a valid OHIP card.
WILL I ALWAYS SEE MY FAMILY PHYSICIAN AT MY APPOINTMENTS?Not necessarily. Our office is a teaching facility, and you may be booked with a Resident or Student within the medical field. You may be seen by another Physician should you have an urgent problem that requires you to be seen sooner than when your Physician or Nurse Practitioner is booking. You may also be seen by an Allied Health Professional or Nurse Educator (at the discretion of you and your Physician).
HOW DO I BOOK A FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT?If your doctor wants you to book a follow-up appointment, make sure to book your appointment with Reception before you leave the office. Many times the Physicians and Nurse Practitioner are booking a few weeks ahead, and we need advance notice to make sure you are seen in the proper time frame. If you are unable to book the follow-up that day please call our office at 613-279-2100.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS AN APPOINTMENT?If you miss an appointment, please call our office at 613-279-2100 to reschedule.
HOW CAN I GET TEST RESULTS?If the results are available in the office and have been reviewed by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner, you may call the office and speak to a receptionist who may give you your result, transfer your call to an appropriate provider, or assist you in booking an appointment to discuss the results with the provider.
WHAT IS YOUR REFERRAL POLICY?If you would like a referral to see a specialist, this must be discussed with your Physician or Nurse Practitioner during a booked appointment. New referrals are not done by phone. You can advise front Reception if this is a recurring referral and they will notify your physician as they may be able to re-refer without seeing you.
WHAT CAN I DO OUTSIDE OF OFFICE HOURS IF I NEED CARE?If you have an urgent problem, go immediately to the nearest Emergency Room at Perth Hospital Emergency, Kingston General Hospital Emergency, or Hotel Dieu Hospital Urgent Care Centre.
If you would like to speak to a nurse call TeleHealth at 1-866-553-7205.
DO YOU HAVE A LAB?We do not have an onsite lab. We do have a daily lab service pick-up Mondays through Fridays. If you have a booked appointment, the provider will draw the blood work, the lab service will pick it up that evening, and the results are delivered electronically to the patients’ chart within 24-48hours. There is no lab pick up on the weekends.
HOW DO I GET A PRESCRIPTION RENEWAL?Always bring all of your medications to your appointments in their original containers to review with your Health Care Provider Make sure that you have enough medication to last you until your next appointment. If you prefer to have your prescriptions renewed without an appointment, you may call your Pharmacy and ask them to fax a renewal form to 613-279-1195.