Health Care in Canmore 

Over 6 million people in Canada do not have a family doctor or general practitioner they can see regularly.

Like millions of Canadians, I find myself needing health care and medical advice but I am without a family doctor. At some point during the Covid epidemic, my general practitioner deactivated me as her patient. I guess I wasn’t going enough at that time, and in truth, unless I was feeling really sick, I was avoiding the medical facilities during the pandemic.

Actually, that is still the case. I usually avoid going to the doctors at all costs. Coming from the States, I associate the doctors as time consuming, uncomfortable, cold, and expensive. But on this day, I was really needing some help. I had been dealing with a health issue for a few months and it wasn’t getting any better. I was at my wits end and felt like I was ready to surrender.

Without a doctor, and it not being an emergency situation, how do you get medical help in Canada?

Here is my day of health care in Canmore:

The Ridgeview Medical Clinic accepts walk-in patients, but it has been, and is currently, temporarily closed for renovations. Yet, they had partnered with Spring Creek Integrated Health to continue to provide medical support in the Bow Valley. Spring Creek Integrated Health is located within the Timberstone Building at 1404 Spring Creek Gate.

Current walk-in hours are Monday- Thursday from 5:00 pm-9:00pm. Be there for check-in at 4:30pm. Friday hours are from 9:00am- NOON, with check-in at 8:45am. Saturday appointments are from 10am -4:00pm. Be there for check-in at 9:45am.

On the day I went, walk-in hours were from 1:00pm -4:00pm. With check-in at 12:45. A friend had suggested that I should go there early to get in line so that I am sure to get a number for that day. I arrived at 12:30pm and seemed to be the only one there. I waited outside till 12:40. Others started to arrive. At 12:45 we were welcomed into the clinic and were directed to take a number. I was first, so got #1 and was told to come back at 1:20 for a 1:30 appt..

I met with a young doctor who seemed unsure as to what was causing my ailments. Afterall, this was the first time we have ever met. He asked a lot of questions and then ordered blood work and an x-ray. The doctor said that I could get bloodwork done at the hospital lab. He suggested that I call there first to make sure they are were open and available. The doctor also let me know that x-rays were done at Guardian Radiology on a walk-in basis.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was to follow the appropriate colored blocks marked on the floor to get to the lab. I left my requisition form in the box at the window, pulled a number, and waited to be called. It wasn’t more than a few minutes when it was my turn. The nurse was super quick and the blood draw was painless.

My medical journey so far had been quick and easy so I planned to go to Guardian Radiology with the hopes that getting an x-ray would be just as smooth. I knew there is a Guardian Radiology near Pet Planet, where I go for Bone Tuesday’s for my dogs; so, I headed there. As I approached the door, I saw a sign taped to the window, stating that all walk-in services happen at the Guardian Radiology located at The Shops of Canmore.

I got back into the car and headed a few more blocks down the road. Guardian Radiology is located in Building One of The Shops on the 2nd floor. As I entered the office, I was welcomed by the woman at the front desk. She took my requisition and told me it would be just a few minutes. There was one patient before me. It was 2:39pm.

I sat comfortably in the waiting area noticing the wood finishings and the live plant in the room. This place felt more like a mountain lodge vs a medical clinic. It was nice. I was called to the back at 2:58pm and was done by 3:09pm. I was told that it would take one day to have the results posted.

My day of health care in Canmore was relatively quick and quite easy. I had signed-up for a walk-in appointment; met with a Dr.; drove to the hospital for bloodwork to be done; and, had an x-ray all in about 2 ½ hours. I had results the next day that I could view through MyHealth.Alberta.ca. With such a painless experience, I felt better already!

*In follow-up: I went back to the Integrated Health Clinic at Spring Creek the next Monday. I showed up at 3:45pm to be there for 4:30 registration. There were two others in line already. I was patient #3 and was seen at 5:00pm.

Needing to see a doctor without having a general practitioner in place, starts differently than what you may be used to. Waiting in line at a walk-in clinic to see a doctor who may be unfamiliar to you can feel like it is always starting with a 1st time. Not having a doctor in Canada is a reality for about 6.5 million people in Canada but that does not mean there is no health care support there for you.

When you can’t rely on just an apple a day, feel confident in the services that are available to you in Canmore.