I haven't seen the movie Sicko yet, but the Canadian health care system is put in good light. However, for a newcomer the system has been interesting. I'm used to looking for a doctor who is taking new patients and use to seeing a nurse practioner if the doctors not available... come to think of it the last doctor both J and I had neither of us ever saw her but they could always found time to see us within 48 hours (and most times less than 24 hours).

Anyway, finding a doctor here is different. You can walk into any one of the Walk-in clinics without an appointment. They are funded by the number of visits whereas the Family Services Centre (which is part of BC Women's Hospital) is funded by the number of patients on a yearly basis and you are assigned to a doctor, much like the states system. However, there's a waiting list. So I'm waiting.

I liked knowing who I'm going to see and that they work in assoication with the hospital. Further, the centre offers over the phone help (not a common pratice here) and pharmacy prescription refills via fax and phone (again I guess that's not common either. I hear that most people need to go back to the clinic to get a new prescription and take it to the pharmacy.)

I called this morning and my name is still on the wait list for Dr. Fairweather. I'm supposed to know something by Friday but if I don't hear then I'll check again on Monday. Maybe the clinic wouldn't be that bad?