There are a few ways that you can cancel an appointment.
- Select the cancel appointment icon on our website and follow the directions
- Cancel from your email appointment reminder
- Call the office at 705-753-0151 and speak to one of our receptionist.
Every time clients miss their appointment without notice, other clients miss the opportunity to consult with their provider.
As per our Missed Appointment Without Notice policy, clients who fail to attend 3 scheduled appointments without notice will receive the following correspondence:
First occurrence:
The client will be sent a letter by mail or email informing them of our Missed Appointment
Without Notice policy,
Second occurrence:
The client will be sent a reminder letter by mail or email informing them of our Missed
Appointment Without Notice policy,
Third occurrence:
The client will be sent a final reminder letter by mail or email informing them of our Missed
Appointment Without Notice policy,
Fourth occurrence:
The client will be discharged from the WNCHC as per the WNCHC Terminating Client
Relationship/Primary Care Services policy.
To book an appointment with Dr. Vaillancourt’s clinic follow this online booking link:
Medical appointments by phone or in person with safety measures in place.
The activities offered fall within our mandate for health promotion and disease prevention: to improve the health of our community. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the key benefits of regular physical include: better health, improved fitness, better posture and balance, higher self-esteem, weight control, stronger muscles and bones, more energy, and a reduction in stress. Physical activity helps to maintain an independent lifestyle in later life. Our motto is “Move it or lose it”!
No, all programming is offered free of charge. The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE-LHIN) funds all our services and programs and community health centres may not charge individual clients for these services. However, there is a fee when clients wish to purchase certain supplies or equipment: such as scrapbooking items, specialty workshop kits or other equipment.
On occasion, qualified experts and instructors may be retained to offer specific programs and a small fee may apply to offset the cost. It is the West Nipissing Community Health Centre’s intent to keep all programs at no cost or at a low cost to allow maximum participation.
When an applicant is offered primary care services, he/she is assigned to a primary care provider (either a nurse practitioner* or physician). This assignment is based on complexity of care requirements.
* A nurse practitioner (NP) is a nurse that has received additional training to diagnose and treat common health problems. The NP offers a wide range of health care services such as ordering and interpreting diagnostics tests, communicating diagnoses, prescribing medications and referring to specialists. Nurse practitioners work collaboratively with members of the team and may consult with our physicians if required.
In order to ensure continuity of care, the WNCHC will try to book your appointments with your primary care provider. On occasion, you may be assessed by another provider (if no appointments available with your own provider, vacation, etc.) The other NP or physician offering the care will have access to your complete medical history and your primary care provider will be able to access the notes from that clinical visit.
Since the WNCHC provides a multidisciplinary team approach, you may also see other members of the care team, such as Registered Dietitian, case manager or nurse.
No, the WNCHC is not a walk-in clinic. Primary care and support services are provided only to clients registered with the WNCHC. Registered clients need to make an appointment to see a primary care provider.
Yes. The WNCHC is opened from 7:00 am to 8:00pm on Wednesdays. Please refer to the Hours of Operation section of the website for the full schedule.
Yes. In order to meet our clients’ needs and to prevent emergency room visits, the WNCHC providers have a block of appointments set aside daily for clients needing to be seen on same day. When unable to provide same day appointment, the call will be redirected to one of our registered nurses who will provide guidance as to the most appropriate course of action.
The primary care providers at the WNCHC do not provide care to clients while in hospital. Hospital physicians provide that care. If you are hospitalized, we want you to make an appointment with your provider within 7 days of hospital discharge.
It is possible that an emergency or other obligation is preventing you from attending an appointment at the WNCHC. We ask that you call as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule. In order to manage appointments and scheduling efficiently, the WNCHC is asking all clients to provide 24 hours’ notice if unable to attend an appointment. This allows us to offer the appointment to another client in need of care.
Our policy on missed appointments may lead to discharge from the WNCHC after 3 consecutive no show appointments.
There is no charge for parking at the WNCHC clinic. Clients are encouraged to use the front entrance (Michaud Street) to access the reception area.
Yes. Community programs are available to ALL residents of West Nipissing. The primary care team works closely with members of the Community Health Promotion team to provide and support programs that aims at maintaining wellness and preventing illness.
Please bring your health card at every appointment. The receptionist will document your health card number and expiry date. You must contact the OHIP office prior to expiry date if you haven’t received your renewal documents (Service Ontario Infoline 1-866-532-3161). Please advise our reception when you have received a new card and of any change of address or telephone number.
It is not always necessary for you to make an appointment to renew your medications. If you do not require an appointment and a medication requires renewal, please call your pharmacy and have them fax the renewal request to your provider (fax 705-753-5387). You will receive a call to book an appointment if your provider needs to see you before renewing the prescription. Please ensure to allow 2 weeks’ notice prior to medication renewal to ensure you do not miss any doses or run out of medication.
**You are encouraged to bring your medication containers to all appointments.
YES, the WNCHC offers many programs and activities that the community can access, such as groups, seminars and education sessions. The primary health care services are available only to those individuals who are registered clients of the WNCHC.
Since the Centre’s opening we have received a large number of registrations. In view of limited resources, WNCHC places applicants’ request for primary care services on a waiting list. Completed registration forms are placed in order of arrival, or available resources. In view of limited resources, WNCHC places clients’ request for primary care services on a waiting list.
There are no fees for the primary care services or for the Community health promotion programs. However, there may be fees for some of the community support services and programs.
To receive health care services from the WNCHC, you must register with the Centre. Health services are available for people living in the West Nipissing area. Click here to register online.
The health promotion activities are open to anyone wishing to join a session or group. Sessions are offered in French and/or English depending on the demand and the programs offered by other agencies. Depending on community resources and need, health promotion services are offered at the different access points throughout West Nipissing. For more information, consult the Community Health section of this web site. Click here to view the activity calendar.
A complaint can be made verbally or in writing.
Every effort will be made to respond to client concerns as soon as an issue is raised, in order to find an immediate resolution. When this is not possible, the complaint will be examined and investigated, following the procedure outlined below. Anonymous complaints will not be considered since we cannot do a follow-up.
To lodge a complaint:
A written complaint must include:
- Your name, address, telephone number
- The date and the location of the incident
- A summary of your complaint and the persons involved.
If you wish to make a complaint in person or by telephone, ask the receptionist to be directed to a member of the management team. Your information will be noted and a follow-up will be made within a reasonable time.
Response to complaints:
All the complaints will be directed to the Executive director.
A letter will be sent to the complainant acknowledging receipt of the complaint and advising of the follow-up. The results of the investigation and actions will be communicated to the complainant. If the problem is not resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant, the Board of Directors will be informed at the next meeting of the Board. The Board of Directors will determine an appropriate resolution of the complaint
The West Nipissing Community Health Centre is a non-profit, community-governed health care and health promotion centre. It offers services to the residents of West Nipissing who don’t have access to primary care, and also offers health promotion and disease prevention activities throughout West Nipissing.
The team at the WNCHC includes family physicians (2), nurse practitioners (3), registered nurses (2), a registered practical nurse, a case manager, a Registered Dietitian, and community health promotion workers (3). These positions are all salaried employees.
The Centre is governed by a board of directors made up of individuals from the community. Nine directors have been elected and are responsible for the leadership of the Centre and for ensuring that the organization is operating competently and in accordance with their vision and planning. Under the supervision of the board of directors, the Executive Director is the head of staff and responsible for the general and active management of the Health Centre.