(no subject)
Here is a little story:
I do not have a family doctor. I applied for one that was accepting patients last summer, but nothing came of it. So I'm stuck with going to walk-in clinics, which suits me anyway, I don't expect to be in Kingston long enough to justify having a family doctor - taking up a spot on the list from someone who really deserves a family doc.
However, having been using the walk-in cklinic system for years, it is truly sad to not have a person who knows me and my health history and who actually cares.
So yesterday I go to a nearby clinic, and I arrived early, before the doors opened. When the doors did open three people got in line before me, but that was no big deal. I signed in, and they asked me to update my information, and I waited.
And waited. About 8-12 people were seen while I waited. For 45 minutes. Finally I was called in by a nurse, who directed me into a room and told me that she couldn't do much for me because they have a very strict policy on not providing examinations for post-secondary students.
Okay, okay, I understand this. I've taken advantage of campus clinical services when they were available. Yesterday, all I could do was gape, and cry. I did not expect to be denied common medical services. She did do simple lab tests and renew my prescription, and gave me information on local clinics that are accepting new patients (I only have to wait two months or so to get through the waitlist, she said).
I am a slow person, I am a slow thinker. When someone broadsides me like this, I cannot react, or argue properly. Only after I have the time to digest the news (aka after I left, and walked home) can I collect my thoughts.
1. RMC does not have campus clinical services. RMC is primarily a military school, and all cadets fall under the wing of the Canadian Forces. This is how Cadets get their health services. Civilian Grad Students are on their fucking own. This is a trend that I've seen in every aspect of being a civilian here. We get the short end of the stick.
2. The information she gave me on local clinics accepting patients? Two months old, it appears, and when I checked the respective websites, they at least confirmed that the info was not current. Thanks for giving me information to shut me up and get me out of your office without actually being useful.
I am furious.
I do not have a family doctor. I applied for one that was accepting patients last summer, but nothing came of it. So I'm stuck with going to walk-in clinics, which suits me anyway, I don't expect to be in Kingston long enough to justify having a family doctor - taking up a spot on the list from someone who really deserves a family doc.
However, having been using the walk-in cklinic system for years, it is truly sad to not have a person who knows me and my health history and who actually cares.
So yesterday I go to a nearby clinic, and I arrived early, before the doors opened. When the doors did open three people got in line before me, but that was no big deal. I signed in, and they asked me to update my information, and I waited.
And waited. About 8-12 people were seen while I waited. For 45 minutes. Finally I was called in by a nurse, who directed me into a room and told me that she couldn't do much for me because they have a very strict policy on not providing examinations for post-secondary students.
Okay, okay, I understand this. I've taken advantage of campus clinical services when they were available. Yesterday, all I could do was gape, and cry. I did not expect to be denied common medical services. She did do simple lab tests and renew my prescription, and gave me information on local clinics that are accepting new patients (I only have to wait two months or so to get through the waitlist, she said).
I am a slow person, I am a slow thinker. When someone broadsides me like this, I cannot react, or argue properly. Only after I have the time to digest the news (aka after I left, and walked home) can I collect my thoughts.
1. RMC does not have campus clinical services. RMC is primarily a military school, and all cadets fall under the wing of the Canadian Forces. This is how Cadets get their health services. Civilian Grad Students are on their fucking own. This is a trend that I've seen in every aspect of being a civilian here. We get the short end of the stick.
2. The information she gave me on local clinics accepting patients? Two months old, it appears, and when I checked the respective websites, they at least confirmed that the info was not current. Thanks for giving me information to shut me up and get me out of your office without actually being useful.
I am furious.