Discussions

So my family doctor is not listed with the clinic anymore., Her status has gone from being on holiday and unavailable until April, to not being available at all, and they don't know when/if she'll be returning. When I asked if I could see another doctor, (I have some things needing following), I was told that walk-in was my only option. That the other doctors were too busy with their own patients to see someone else's patients. Not allowed to choose another doctor. Crazy. Does anyone know if she's starting up another practice, or? I'm so po'd.

I am in the same boat as you. She had sent me to two specialists before she left for different issues. Now I am to see a walk in Dr for follow up. I did that and it went horribly. Seen a different Dr and it went better. (All at the same clinic) But now I can’t see them again because they aren’t taking patients. I left a Dr I seen for years to go to Velthuysen and can’t get back into her so now I have no Dr and several medical issues going untreated as I can’t get the same answer twice. It’s a horrible mess to be left in. I was hoping the clinic would be more helpful in getting people set up with another Dr at the clinic but so far not happening.  
 
Edited by Farmgirl33, 2019-02-20 21:09:19

At the Brandon Clinic is taking and he’s wonderful

I'm sorry you have to go through the hassle. I've had similar happen where my doctor simply disappears (actually, it's happened 3 times in 10 years). Unfortunately, doctors are in short supply around here and you can't simply "pick another doctor" when they're full themselves.  
 
Hopefully you'll find another doctor somewhere soon and get things back on track. Wheat City Medicial Clinic always seems to have at least a couple of physicians taking patients, maybe try there?

Totally left feeling like I'll have to doctor myself.

Thanks!

Apparently, at this clinic, they're all supposed to part of a patients medical team. That's what they say, anyway. And if these other doctors have available booking time online, why wouldn't they have time to see a patient of the clinic? When you're my age, it's important to have a relationship with your medical professional, someone who has gotten to know you, who can ask the right questions. With ongoing medical concerns, how does being a walk-in patient address that? No, it's just wrong. And if she's not going to be back, or it's indefinite, they should try to accommodate patients, instead of letting them fight it out in the waiting room.

I don't think it's that simple, however. Western Medical Clinic has 13 family physicians, according to their website. According to Google, the average doctor has 1500 patients on their roll, so let's make that 1300 the make the math easier.  
 
If they were to redistribute those 1300 patients between 13 physicians, that's an extra 100 patients per doctor. or a jump of 7-8% in patient load. That's a lot, especially because I know my doctor there at least usually takes me 3-4 weeks to get an appointment to see him. It also would contribute to doctor burn-out, which means that more doctors might leave, making the situation even tougher.  
 
I'm sure the clinic is always trying to recruit physicians for this exact reason. The walk-in solution is probably a short-term patch until they get someone new in there, but it's takes time.

called the clinic - they say she is coming back. pls adv source of info pls. thx

My wife has an appointment scheduled with this Dr. the first week of March for a physical.  
 
I called the clinic today after seeing this thread to confirm the appointment and that the Dr. was still at the clinic.  
 
I was told that she is currently on indefinite medical leave - and has not provided a date of return to the clinic. As of now they do not know if / when she will be returning. They are not canceling current appointments until the day before as I was told she could be back any day now.  
 
Personally I do not expect her to return anytime soon and am looking at moving family doctors as a result. Poor communication from Western Medical Clinic since this has started occurring is not helping my decision.  
 
I wish Dr. Veldythsen the best and hopefully she can return to practicing soon. Brandon does not need to lose another Dr.

Hope this isn’t true, every time I find a doctor I like they end up leaving. Especially annoying when you have to go in for a meet the doctor visit before you can do a regular appointment (even if they are from the same clinic).  
So frustrating to keep looking for new doctors, she was the third one in 7 years.

I spoke to the clinic around 5 pm and they said that it was confirmed around 4 pm that she would not be returning. Thanks for everyone's input.

She is an exceptional doctor, one of the best Brandon has seen over the years.

I, too, was a patient of hers. It would be nice for the Clinic to let her patients know that they no longer have a GP.  
Maybe they will do this now that it is official?

Everyone needs to understand that it take time and patience to let the number of patients a physician has under their care a little time to let patients know they may not be returning...... also take consideration that she’s not ditching her patients. She may have had family emergencies come up OR may have a health issue of their own.  
 
Hang tight and everyone will eventually get a new physician

I’m considerably disappointed to learn that Dr. Velthysen is no longer available. After searching for a few years, I had finally found an excellent family doctor. She will certainly be missed.  
I’m hoping to be able to see my fiancé’s family doctor. I can understand that most doctors around here are already very busy.  
Best of luck to anyone and everyone that was a patient of hers.  
Bets wishes to Dr. Velthysen too.

We I st started to see Dr.Onita,and we like him.