Welcome to BayWest Medical Centre

We are a Family Health Organization (FHO), a model of care in Ontario designed to provide patients with comprehensive, continuous, and accessible primary healthcare services.

This page outlines how our clinic operates, the services available to you, and the expectations that support safe, coordinated, and timely care.

What is a Family Health Organization (FHO)?

A Family Health Organization (FHO) is a group of family physicians who work collaboratively to provide care to a shared patient population.

At BayWest:

• You are enrolled with a primary family physician
• You may also receive care from other physicians within the group when appropriate
• Physicians share access to a secure electronic medical record (EMR)

This model supports:

• Continuity of care
• Timely access to services
• Coordination across providers

Model of Care and Access

Your primary family physician is responsible for coordinating your care. When your physician is unavailable, you may be offered an appointment with another physician within the clinic depending on their availability.

The clinic makes reasonable efforts to provide:

• Same-day or next-day access for urgent concerns with your primary family physician
• After-hours care for issues that cannot wait until the next business day

Clinic Hours

Regular Office Hours

• Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

During regular hours, services include routine medical care, chronic disease management, preventive care, and follow-up visits.

After-Hours Clinics (For Urgent Issues)

• Monday to Thursday: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

After-hours clinics are provided in accordance with FHO requirements to improve access to urgent care outside regular office hours.

Accessing Care

Routine and Non-Urgent Care

Patients are expected to book appointments in advance with their own family physician for non-urgent concerns.

Urgent Care (Same-Day Access)

A limited number of same-day appointments may be available for urgent medical concerns that require timely assessment by their family physician.

After-Hours Care

Patients are encouraged to contact the clinic for guidance. If appropriate, they may be scheduled into the after-hours clinic.

All after-hours visits:

• Are by appointment or first come first served on walk in basis
• Are intended for urgent concerns
• Are available to patients enrolled with BayWest physicians

Appropriate Use of Services

After-Hours Clinics

After-hours clinics are intended for new or acute medical concerns that cannot reasonably wait until the next business day.

They are generally not appropriate for:

• Routine or preventive care
• Prescription renewals
• Blood test requests
• Review of test results
• Immunization / Vaccinations
• Completion of forms or administrative requests
• Ongoing or chronic concerns without change

Requests for non-urgent services may be redirected to regular office hours.

Walk-In Clinics and Continuity of Care

Patients enrolled in the FHO are encouraged to seek care within BayWest Medical Centre whenever possible.

Use of external walk-in clinics or services outside the FHO may:

• Limit the clinic’s ability to maintain complete and accurate medical records
• Affect continuity and coordination of care

Where care is obtained elsewhere, patients are encouraged to ensure that relevant medical information is shared with our clinic.

Uninsured Services

While most medically necessary services are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), some services are not insured.

Examples of uninsured services include:

• Completion of forms (insurance, employment, legal)
• Sick notes or administrative letters
• Transfer or copying of medical records

Fees may apply in accordance with Ontario Medical Association (OMA) guidelines. Please see Uninsured Services section of the website.

After-Hours and External Advice

When the clinic is closed and medical advice is required:

• Patients may contact Health811 (dial 811) for 24/7 access to a registered nurse
• In case of a medical emergency, patients should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department

Patient Responsibilities

To support safe and effective care, patients are expected to:

• Seek care within the clinic whenever possible
• Use after-hours services appropriately
• Book routine care in advance
• Provide accurate and complete health information
• Follow clinic processes for appointments and communication

Benefits of FHO Enrollment

Patients enrolled in the BayWest FHO benefit from:

• Access to a team of physicians
• Availability of same-day or next-day care for urgent concerns
• After-hours clinic services
• Coordinated care supported by a shared medical record
• Availability of 24/7 telephone health advice (Health811)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does it mean to be enrolled with a BayWest physician?

You are registered with a primary family physician who coordinates your care, with access to other physicians in the group when needed.

Can I see another physician at the clinic?

Yes. When your physician is unavailable, care may be provided by another physician within the FHO dependent on other physicians’ availability.

Do I need an appointment for after-hours clinic?

Yes. After-hours visits are scheduled as well as on a walk-in basis.

What is considered an urgent issue?

An urgent issue is a medical concern that requires timely attention and cannot reasonably wait until the next available routine appointment.

Can I use walk-in clinics outside BayWest?

Patients are encouraged to access care within BayWest to support continuity. If outside care is accessed, sharing records with our clinic is recommended.

Are all services covered by OHIP?

No. Some services are uninsured and may involve a fee.

What should I do if I need care when the clinic is closed?

Contact Health811 (dial 811) for non-emergency advice or seek emergency care if required.

Do you offer any services to patients not enrolled in your FHO?

Yes, some of our services may be available to patients outside of our FHO as some of our family physicians sees patients on a walk-in basis from 10 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday. However, the after-hours clinics on Monday to Thursday 5 to 8 PM and Saturday 10 to 1 are reserved only for enrolled patients of BayWest FHO. Please call for more information.

Commitment to Patient Care

BayWest Medical Centre is committed to providing accessible, comprehensive, and patient-centered care, while ensuring services are delivered in a manner consistent with professional standards and provincial requirements.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Accessing or using this information does not establish a physician–patient relationship.

While BayWest Medical Centre makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented, content may be subject to change without notice. Patients are encouraged to contact the clinic directly for the most current information regarding services, hours, and policies.

Clinic policies, including appointment availability, after-hours services, and access to care, are subject to change based on physician availability, clinical urgency, and operational requirements, in accordance with applicable regulations and professional standards.

Nothing on this website is intended to limit or restrict a patient’s right to seek care from any qualified healthcare provider. However, patients enrolled with a BayWest physician are encouraged to access care within the clinic to support continuity and coordination of care.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department immediately.