ZERO TOLERANCE - Use of profanity, verbal threats or any act of violence will NOT be tolerated in this office

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1) Annual Health Review

Annual Physicals have been replaced with Annual Health Reviews. These appointments can be arranged by calling the office so your family doctor can order any necessary screening tests, blood work and/or renew prescriptions as appropriate. 

2) Cancellation Policy
We require at least 24 hours notice for cancellation of appointments. If you are calling to cancel an appointment after the office is closed for the day, please leave a message on our answering machine stating your name, the time of your appointment and the doctor with whom it is booked. Failure to give the required notice will result in an administrative fee based on the OMA guidelines.

3) Confirmation Policy
Reminders of appointments are sent to patients by email the day before their appointment.  In the event that patients do not receive an email or do not have an email address on file we expect patients to take responsibility for remembering appointments.

4) Change of Information
Please inform the receptionist of any change of information (address, telephone number including home, work and cell changes, health card number, email address etc).

5) Family Health Organization (FHO)
This clinic is a Family Health Organization. Please complete an enrollment form if you have not already done so.  If you have any questions, please speak with your doctor.

6) Emergency
In the event of an emergency and our office is closed, please go to the nearest emergency department or call Tele-Health Ontario at (1-866-797-0000). If you have signed a FHO Enrollment Form with your doctor you may call Telephone Health Advisory Service at 1-866-553-7205

7) Health Cards
Please ensure that you present your health card at every visit. You will be charged $40.00 for a 15 minute appointment if a valid health card is not available.

8) Preventative Care
The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends the following:

• Cervical Cancer Screening every three years for women aged 21 to 69 years of age

• Mammograms every two years for women aged 50 to 74 years of age

• Colorectal Screening via fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every 2 years for all adults aged 50 to 74 years of age

9) Prescription Renewals
In general, your doctor will prescribe enough medication to last you until your next visit. Please do not wait until you have run out of your medication. Book an appointment about one (1) week before it runs out or contact your pharmacy to request that a renewal be sent to your doctor (there may be a charge for sending a pharmacy request). 

10) Transfer Policy
Patients will not be allowed to transfer from one doctor to the next within this clinic. This is a unanimous agreement between all doctors at Stouffville Medical Centre. If you are transferring to a physician at another location, a written request should be made by your new physician’s office and your files will be transferred to them. There is a charge for this service. Once you have transferred to another doctor, your file will be closed at Stouffville Medical Centre.

11) Urgent Care
We operate Urgent Care Clinics for our FHO enrolled patients as follows:

Monday through Thursday beginning at 5:30.  Saturday beginning at 9:00.  Please arrive at the office no earlier than 30 minutes before the clinic start time. Issues should be limited to only those that are urgent in nature; any other issues should be discussed at a scheduled appointment with your doctor. 

12) Inactive Files
If you have not been to the clinic for at least 5 years, your file will be deemed inactive. In order to be seen by a doctor again, your chart will be reviewed and a decision will be made whether to reinstate you as a patient. We are not suggesting that you should see a doctor if you are not sick, however, an annual health review is recommended and  will keep your file active.

13) Telephone Results
Please do not call the clinic for test results. (The only exception would be that your doctor has requested you to do so.)  Any questions regarding symptoms, medications, vaccine reactions or illnesses should be addressed in an appointment with your doctor.  The staff are not qualified to give advice or information unless authorized by a doctor.  If you need to know your results, whether normal or not, please book an appointment with your doctor two to four weeks after the completion of your test. You will receive a call with results only if your physician requests the secretary to do so.

14) Code of Conduct for Patients
In an effort to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, visitors, patients and their families, Stouffville Medical Centre expects visitors, patients and accompanying family members to refrain from unacceptable behaviors that are disruptive or pose a threat to the rights or safety of other patients and staff. The following behaviors are prohibited:

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• Making verbal threats to harm another individual or destroy property.

• Making harassing, offensive or intimidating statements, or threats of violence in any form.

• Making racial or cultural slurs or other derogatory remarks.

• Physical assault, or intentional damage to property.

• Adults are expected to supervise children in their care.

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If you are subjected to any of these behaviors or witness inappropriate behavior, please report it to any staff member. Violators are subject to removal from the facility and/or discharge from the practice.