We are loath to complain about the Oceanside Health Centre (OHC) and the service provided. The centre should and could be a great asset to the community.
However, for some number of weeks we have been concerned about the functioning of the Primary Care portion of the OHC. One example is the scheduling of appointments. Posted prominently in the waiting room are the operating principles upon which the centre is run. One of those principles states that “the interests of the client are placed first and the system is created around what works best for the client.”
In practice, when one calls for an appointment, a message must be left and someone will return the call. The effect is that the client must wait by the telephone with appointment book in hand.
Leaving a cell phone number means that one’s appointment book must also be carried with one. In our case, it took three days for that return call to connect.
Clearly the interests of the client are not placed first.
This system is not consistent with the Dr. Marlene Van Der Weyde’s caring, thoughtful and patient-first approach.
How is it that other doctor’s offices that we are aware of can make the appointment on the phone at the time of the call?
A letter written to the centre to explain our frustration with this system elicited no response.
This is but one example of a number of issues relating to the running of Primary Care in the OHC.
Is it a jump to imagine that the resignation of the sole family practice doctor is a result of the frustration with the present systems and being unable to change them?
Vicki and Brian CurtisQualicum Beach