Having a licensed Family Doctor in Ontario is one thing, having a COMPETENT family doctor in Ontario is a whole new ask.

In the Province of Ontario, Canada a once envied "free" medical system for all who have a valid and authorized Ministry of Health card... in recent years it has become quite difficult to find a general medical practitioner whom is not only licensed, but has an open spot for a new patient they're willing to care for. Also lacking is a term that has subliminally disappeared with little notice, until now.

Which leads me to my recent and past 40 years experience of having a string of general family practitioners, primarily female gp's whose offices are filled to capacity with baby strollers, diaper bags, nursing apparatus, feeding pumps, nannies, siblings, cold and flu viruses, kleenX, blankets spread out on any available floor space, toys, books, musical instruments, food, juice bottles, high end water bottles, foot wear, jackets, gloves, face masks... and don't you dare get in their way - OLD MAN.

So when you are seated in your practitioners office for your 15 minutes of well focused, ONE On ONE - ONE QUESTION ONLY moment... and you politely begin with; Hello Doctor, how are you today? You may be greeted with, "I'm Fine, is that your one question? If yes, OUT. We're done, Make another booking"... but no, you're spared this time. But just like the game Password, you now have minutes to ask your ONE question and to hear your care givers well thought out diagnosis.

For example... "I need a blood requisition so I can check my cholesterol", which, quite frankly, if she gave a shit, at all, SHE, my DOCTOR, should already have it at the ready, AND... SHE should already be asking, how's the recent hip operation? How is that coming along? Are you cycling, walking - man it's been a long winter, yes. Swimming, back to yoga, what about your prostate cancer, your recent PSA number was quite high from what I understand, are you considering hormone therapy? Gosh Dave, what a fiasco? You doing ok? What about dating? How's the soul? And when's the last time you saw your cardiologist? How's the relationship with your 2 adult sons? Still estranged? Are you getting outside help with that? You know we have a fine Psychologist here at our clinic. Maybe ask for a booking? How's the job Professor? Oh that's right you resigned a few years back. How's your private practice going, you're semi retired now and how the hell is your quest in stand up comedy coming along?

BUT NO!

This specific doctor allows 1 question. Like a Nazi... Aber Macht Frie... NEXT PAY-SHE-ENT! Stay-an-she-oufff bitte.... OUT. ZEE U IN SEX MUNTZ.

So when I was emailed my blood requisition form I emailed the Mimico medical office asking if they would re-issue the form this time ticking off the PSA Box, as it qualifies me for the free assessment? She replied a few days later... with a long winded... NO. With a long worded; "Have it done by your Oncologist".

Huh? Stunned. I thought, but I have prostate cancer and my number was high in September 2024 and I'd like to see what it is like now in February 2025. NO was her answer.

I also asked to reconnect with my cardiologist as I hadn't seen him for 4 years and I'm feeling a tad off, as I had a hip replacement Nov 11, 2024 and we had discussed being reconnected with him, a Dr. Garry Thomas at a certain clinic which she granted, but, when contacting them for an appointment, that clinic advised Dr. Thomas has since moved on to another clinic. They gave me all the information as to where he is now practising. So I, at the same time requesting the PSA box to be checked off for my blood work, that I be directed to see Dr. Garry Thomas at his new clinic, which I provided my doctor with those details as well. My doctor replied, NO! "Go to the clinic I sent you a requisition for".

I developed an immediate resentment for my doctor and for the Ontario Medical system. What the FUCK?

So, I went and got my blood work, and while there asked the technicians at Life Labs, if I pay for my PSA test privately, would they please add that test and they said... NO. "It must be checked off by your doctor". Huh? But I'm wiling to PAY FOR IT! I explained my situation. They again refused and said NO, it must be requested by your doctor. Again, I'm thinking... what the FUCK!

So, upon giving my blood sample I made an on-line booking to see my GP April 28th, 2025. In the mean time, I wrote to my Prostate Cancer oncologists' office for a PSA test to be performed, which I received within 48 hours, from my Oncologist himself, saying, "as soon as I see the results come in, I'll call you. Ok... cool. I let him know I was getting the test done Friday, April 04th. He should see those results mid week the following week. He replied, "roger that".

So I got my PSA test done Friday April 4, 2025. My oncologist called me, personally, Monday, April 07, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. unsolicited and said; "Hey Dave, great news, your PSA has gone done, so going over your records, let's forgo the hormone treatment I thought you may need and we'll see you in 6 months".

I thanked him and asked if I could ask him one more question? Sure he replied;... shoot, cuz I know you're shooting blanks... get it? Prostate Cancer humour. Yah, hahahahah. Humour. I get it. Just like when my common law wife's father announced at the dinner table when he heard I was going to have Prostate surgery and have my Prostate completely removed.... "My daughter didn't marry a Man... she married a WO-MAN. hahahahah".

Yah, Funny.

So I told my oncologist I had recently asked my GP to check off the PSA box on the blood requisition form and she replied, NO. "Ask your Oncologist to do that for you". My Oncologist replied... "huh... and then said the word I opened up this BLOG POST with that is subliminally missing describing a GP's qualifications in ONTARIO as... a word that begins with a C and ends with a T and NO, it was not what you're thinking. Get your mind out of the gutter.

That said, I'll be sending a formal letter of complaint to the GM, President, and CEO of Mimico Medical located in South Etobicoke, as well all relevant Political offices, the Ministry of Surgeons and Physicians asking this "doctor" be investigated, disciplined, and please note I no longer wish to be under her care-less conduct. And no, also none of these "C" words that end with a "T" as listed, described my Oncologists quip about my GP's behaviour. Curious(t)? Careful(t)? Considerate(t,t,t,)?

And oh, as for my request to reconnect with my Cardiologists' new office? When reached today, April 08, 2025 to ask if he would have no objections in seeing me, they too were quite confused and shocked at my GP's response. She could have easily sent the requisition form to their new office and he will gladly see me.

As a former Community College Professor working in a chronically underfunded provincial Ministry of Education, resigning September 01, 2022, my motto for all of Ontario-ans, especially those controlled by the overly oppressive Union - OPSEU...

ONTARIO

"We Can't Afford To Care"

Stay on top of your health. Being licensed and insured is one thing.

Being COMPETENT is a whole new ball game.

Your friend in good health, Dave Archer.

Keep a look out for my One Man Comedy Show, Through The Archway.