INTRODUCTION TO CANADA

Doctors

The common types of medical services in Western Canada are family doctors (family physicians), walk-in clinics, community health centres, the Urgent Care Centre, and hospital emergency care. People visit these services for different reasons.

Family doctors (physicians) give medical check-ups and take care of non-emergency medical problems. Your family doctor becomes familiar with your medical condition and has a chart of your medical history.  Children can get regular vaccinations from their family doctor. Pregnant women can receive care during their pregnancy. You must make an appointment to see your family doctor. You may have to wait a few days, a week or a few weeks for the appointment. If you need immediate medical attention, for things such as an ear ache, bad cough or fever, tell the receptionist. You may be able to get an appointment the same day.  If you do not have a family doctor, ask your friends, neighbours or local government office to recommend a doctor to you.   

Doctors who are specialists may only accept new patients if they are referred by another doctor, usually your family doctor.

Dentists

The cost of dental care is not covered under Western Canada Health Insurance. The cost of dental care is paid by the patient or privately purchased dental insurance. Some workplaces give their employees dental coverage. Dental work can be very expensive.

Eye Care

Eye care is only partially covered by Western Canada Health Insurance. People up to the age of 18 and over the age of 65 can receive a free eye examination from an optometrist every two years. If you are between 19 and 64, you have to pay for most eye care services.

Provincial Drug Program

The Provincial Drug Program is a government program that helps some Western Canada residents to pay the cost of some prescription drugs. You must first pay a deductible in order to qualify. A deductible is an amount of money a person must pay, based on their income, before they can be reimbursed for certain costs. As a resident of Western Canada, you can be reimbursed for the cost of any eligible prescription drugs which cost you more than the basic deductible amount you are allowed each year.

 Immunization Programs

Infants and pre-school-aged children receive free immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenza, measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) as part of a routine publicly funded program. As well, Grade 6 students routinely receive hepatitis B vaccines while Grade 8 students get tetanus and diphtheria boosters.

Please note that all new immigrant children will be required to be vaccinated before starting school.  Vaccines are provided free by your family doctor.   It is important to bring with you from China a record of all the vaccines your child has received in China.  You may also be required to provide evidence from a Chinese doctor or hospital that the vaccines were actually given.