FAQ
WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE LOCATED?
The office is at unit 206 - 135 15th Street East, North Vancouver, BC, V7L 2P7. This is in lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver. This is a shared office with Drs. Richard Lewis, John Hwang, and Lisa Aird.
WHERE CAN I PARK WHEN VISITING YOUR OFFICE?
There is limited street parking available nearby. Pay-parking is available at Lions Gate Hospital off of 15th Street.
IS YOUR OFFICE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. Our office is equipped with an elevator, which is behind the front staircase off of 15th Street.
WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD OF CONTACTING YOU FOR INQUIRIES ABOUT UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS, PROCEDURES, ETC
Please contact our office by phone at (604) 980-5141. Messages are retrieved at regular intervals throughout the day and will be answered in a timely fashion. Please leave your name and telephone number so we can return your call.
WHAT DAYS AND TIMES ARE YOUR PHONE LINES OPEN?
Phones are answered:
Monday - Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Please note that our office is closed for lunch from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Monday to Friday, and we are closed Saturday and Sunday. If we do not answer your call straight away, please leave a brief message with your name and telephone number and we will return your call as soon as possible.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY APPOINTMENT?
Please bring a list of your medications and previous surgeries to your appointment. If you require reading glasses, please bring them to fill out a medical questionnaire upon arrival. If you are not confident in your English abilities, please bring an interpreter with you to your appointment.
WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN YOUR PRACTICE? IF MY LANGUAGE IS NOT SPOKEN, ARE INTERPRETERS AVAILABLE?
English and French are spoken in our practice. Any translational services outside of these languages are not provided.
WHAT CLINICS AND HOSPITAL FACILITIES DO YOU PRACTICE IN?
Procedures are generally provided at Lions Gate Hospital and Squamish General Hospital. Consultations are provided in our office.
WHAT AREAS OF PRACTICE DO YOU ACCEPT REFERRALS?
We accept referrals in the following areas of practice: gastroscopy, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, consultations in general surgery, laparoscopic colorectal surgery, laparoscopic hernia, open hernia, gallbladder surgery, gastroesophageal reflux disease, morbid obesity, and breast disorder/cancer surgery.
HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE ACCEPT A REQUEST FOR ROUTINE REFERRALS?
We accept requests for routine referrals via fax from a referring medical doctor.
ON AVERAGE, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOUR OFFICE TO NOTIFY THE GP OFFICE THAT AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED FOR THE REFERRED PATIENT?
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Typically, your GP will be notified within one week of booking your appointment.
ON AVERAGE, WHAT IS YOUR OFFICE'S WAIT TIME FROM REQUEST FOR A NON-URGENT CONSULTATION TO THE APPOINTMENT ITSELF?
For non-urgent consultations, a typical waiting time is 1 month from the consultation request.
HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE RESPOND TO REFERRAL REQUESTS?
We respond directly to the referring office via fax.
AFTER YOU RECEIVE OUR REFERRAL INFORMATION, WILL YOUR OFFICE ACCEPT A DIRECT CALL FROM A PATIENT TO BOOK THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT?
No.
WHAT URGENT CONSULTATIONS DO YOU ACCEPT?
Urgent consultations are accepted for breast cancer and bowel cancer.
WHAT IS THE OPTIMAL METHOD FOR REFERRAL OF URGENT APPOINTMENTS?
The optimal method of referral for urgent appointments is by fax.
WHAT IS YOUR APPOINTMENT CANCELLATION POLICY?
We would greatly appreciate if cancellations are made at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. We do not charge fees for missed or canceled appointments.