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This article is the fifth in a continuing series of "Questions and Answers" about the Tavistock Health Centre.
Q. Do you have good news for us?
A. Yes, we do. We’re pleased to announce that a Nurse Practitioner (formally known as a Registered Nurse – Extended Class) has been hired at the Health Centre. Her name is Sarah McDevitt. She brings academic training and work experience in the Mitchell area. She will start work in mid-November. Sarah will be working with all of the doctors and will be responsible for specific health care needs. Of particular note is that Sarah will be assisting with “on call” at the Health Centre. “On call” is the term used to describe situations where a patient has an immediate need … like a sore throat or a cut finger or any type of medical problem that requires immediate attention. On call appointments are scheduled for the same day or the next day. It may be that if you need an immediate appointment you will be seen by the Nurse Practitioner. Your Family Doctor will be informed of your visit and will be consulted, as required. In addition, Sarah will be developing health prevention programs.
Q. Well, that was good. I heard a rumour about a new doctor? Is it true?
A. It’s a fact, not a rumour. You must have been talking with someone who read our summer newsletter. In 2004 Erin Heisz spent a month at our Health Centre as a medical student. During that month Erin observed and trained with all of our doctors. She liked what she saw in us and we like what we saw in her. In June of this year Erin signed an agreement with TCHI and the Ministry of Health that will result in her joining our family practice. This is a two-stage process. Stage one will see Erin returning to Tavistock to spent part of her residency period with us. Residency is a two-year period at the end of a family doctor’s formal training. Dr. Heisz will begin her residency in Tavistock in January of next year. During residency, Dr. Heisz will see patients and will consult as required with Dr. Hook on appropriate treatment. Once residency is completed, Erin will return to the Tavistock Health Centre as a full-time family doctor. This full-time status will start January of 2007. Dr. Heisz is from Woodstock and now lives in Baden with her husband and baby boy. Even though it’s still months away -- WELCOME DR. ERIN HEISZ.
Q. What was that about a newsletter?
A. TCHI, in conjunction with the Perth District Health Unit, is making quarterly newsletters available to patients and the community at large. The portion produced by the Perth District Health Unit is entitled “Health --- It’s a Great Feeling!” This portion provides valuable information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The TCHI part provides news and updates on what’s happening locally at the Health Centre. The newsletters are available in hard copy form in the Reception area at the Tavistock Health Centre. There are a few of the “Summer” issues still available as handouts. As well, the summer newsletter is posted on the bulletin board in Reception. It can also be found in the TCHI website at www.tchi.ca in the section entitled “In The News”.
Q. I know you have addressed this question before. Tell me again why it takes so long to get an appointment with “my” doctor.
A. Appointments can be virtually immediate or they can be scheduled several weeks or months in the future. It all depends upon the need. If you have an immediate need you can be treated by the doctor or Nurse Practitioner assigned to be “on call”. If, however, you do not wish to be treated by the individual on call but prefer your registered family doctor, then you may experience a scheduling wait time. As well, if you are calling to book a routine physical exam or some similar routine procedure you could be scheduled some time into the future. Please remember that our doctors see patients at the Health Center and also at the three local nursing homes. They each have hospital duties, both seeing hospitalized patients and Emergency Room coverage. Each doctor provides support and assistance to the District Health Units and Community Care Access Centres. Medicine is an ever-changing science and each doctor attends continuing education classes to stay up to date in the health care profession. As with most professional people, the time that must be spent on related administration is always increasing (e.g. reports to/from specialists, insurance companies, workmen’s compensation, etc.) Some clinics have tried to resolve this problem by scheduling shorter appointment times … i.e. 10 minute appointments. If you have continuing concerns about scheduling, please communicate this to your doctor or to the TCHI Business Manager.
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If you have a question you would like answered, please drop it off at the clinic in the “Questions” envelope posted on the bulletin board in Reception at the Tavistock Health Centre. You may wish to include your name or you may wish to be anonymous. Should you want to discuss a Q&A or any related subject, please call the clinic at 655-2322 and ask for Blain McCutchen, the Business Manager.