Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

My thanks to each and every one of you for your support in my first year practicing here in North Bay. It's been a fantastic year! The highlight of 2012, for me, is how often I've been blown away by the dramatic improvements in my patients. I believe in what I recommend, but it still takes me by surprise sometimes how beautifully it all works! 

I've had a number of patients ask me how they can fire their current medical doctor so that they can find a new one. In an under-serviced area like North Bay a new medical doctor or nurse practitioner will most likely refuse to take you on as a patient if you already have a medical doctor. To be clear, I'm not advocating for firing medical doctors! It's usually best to let someone know what you're dissatisfied with, and give them a chance to explain and/or improve. However, I'd also like for everyone to feel like they have some control over their own medical care. 

If you would like to fire your doctor, the best way to do so is to call the Service Ontario Info Line at 1-866-532-3161 and tell them the name of your medical doctor or nurse practitioner and that you would like to remove your name from their roster. Service Ontario tells me they will remove you from the roster within 48 hours, and mail you a letter confirming that they have done so. If need be, you can show that letter to the new medical doctor or nurse practitioner you would like to see. 

Last but not least, you can call 'Health Care Connect' at 1-800-445-1822, and they can help you find a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your area that is accepting patients.(www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect)

---