FAQ

  • Can I book appointments over email?

    No, please call the clinic to make an appointment. Our clinic email is strictly for forms and photos. Any emails regarding bookings will not receive a response.

  • Can you email or text me an appointment reminder?

    Appointment reminders are automatically sent through Ocean MD. You should receive an email reminder 24 hours before your appointment. Please make sure we have your updated email address on file.

  • I need to cancel/change my specialist appointment, can you change it?

    No. Once a specialist office has contacted you about your appointment (by phone, voicemail, or email), it is your responsibility to make any changes directly with them. Our clinic does not handle rescheduling or cancellations for specialists.

  • What is the difference between a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and a General Practitioner (GP)?

    A Nurse Practitioner provides the same care as a family doctor. They can diagnose and treat acute conditions, order diagnostic tests, manage overall care, and serve as your primary provider. The main difference is in the amount of training, which may limit care in more complex cases.

  • How can I become a patient at this clinic?

    If one of our doctors is accepting new patients, registration must be completed through the Health Connect Registry. Once your information is submitted and matched, our clinic will contact you directly to arrange a new patient appointment.

    Please note:

    We cannot accept patients who already have a family doctor.

    Availability is limited and not always open.

  • What happens if I miss my appointment (telephone, virtual, or in-person)?

    If you miss your appointment, you will not be rescheduled the same day. The provider will not call multiple times and must move on to the next patient. It may take up to a week to get another appointment. A no-show fee applies:

    $50 for virtual/telephone calls

    $75 for in-person consults/procedures/exams

    $100 for cosmetic appointments

    Outstanding balances must be paid before booking future appointments.

  • Can I ask the provider to refill my medication without an appointment?

    No. All prescription refills require a booked telephone or virtual appointment in advance.

  • I am currently taking a medication which requires refills every few months. When should I book an appointment for that refill?

    Please keep track of when your medication will run out. We may not be able to accommodate last-minute requests. We recommend calling at least one week in advance.

  • Is Orchid Medical a walk-in clinic?

    No. We no longer accept walk-in patients. Only registered patients with our providers are seen.

  • How long should I expect to wait for an appointment?

    We try to book patients within a week if possible, but wait times vary depending on your concern and provider availability.

  • What should I do if I am running late to my appointment?

    Please call the office if you are running late. If you miss more than 50% of your scheduled appointment time, you will be asked to reschedule and will not be rebooked the same day. A no-show fee may apply if most of the appointment is missed.

  • I would like to get a form filled out by the doctor, can I drop it off?

    Yes, but forms are completed outside of clinic hours as providers are busy during the day. Completion times vary, and there may be a fee depending on the type of form.

  • How much is the fee for sick notes, forms including physician statements, disability tax, doctor’s notes, driver’s medical exams, work, school, or medico-legal bundles?

    Fees vary depending on the length of the form and time required for review and completion.

  • How long will it take for my forms to be completed and returned?

    It may take up to two weeks. Providers may take up to 30 business days, as permitted by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC. See policy here.

  • If I requested a note from a provider but no longer need the note, do I have to pay the fee?

    Yes. If the provider has already written the note, the fee applies even if it is no longer required.