Niagara North Family Health Team - Niagara-on-the-Lake Site

Nurse Practitioner Amy Bolduc is extremely unprofessional following two separate appointments at a walk-in clinic. During the first appointment, she attempted to refuse completing required blood work requisitions for my 12-year-old son, who was preparing for out-of-province spinal surgery, stating rudely that she “does not need to do it” and that she was “not his doctor,” despite the fact that I do not have a family physician and was attending a walk-in clinic for this purpose. During a second appointment following my son’s surgery, she refused to complete a Medical Certificate for Employment Insurance Family Caregiver Benefits, despite this form being within a nurse practitioner’s scope of practice. She returned the form and stated she would not complete it because she “doesn’t know me” and questioned the truthfulness of my three weeks off work, even though my son had been seen in the clinic weeks earlier for staple removal following spinal surgery at Shriners Hospital and I had supporting medical documentation from the surgeon. On both occasions, her manner was extremely rude, dismissive, and unprofessional, and her refusal to assist caused unnecessary stress during an already difficult medical situation involving my child.

I was on vacation in NOTL. I went to Shoppers Drig Mart looking for help. The pharmacist berated me for not making an appointment. I was told Pharmacy Assistant that there was a walk in clinic here. I called and was told it was a walk in clinic but that I needed an appointment here too. It was Dec 23rd and there were no appointments left. The receptionist was exceptional (that's why I gave them 2) and booked me in at 1130 am Dec 24th (they closed at noon). I arrived early 1110 am to do paperwork, etc. The nurse practitioner came to get me at 1135 am and another woman (older than me) came in looking to see her as she had a painful UTI and was turned away as I was the last appointment. The nurse practitioner saw me, did not give me her name and sent a prescription to Simpson's Apothecary in downtown NOTL. I asked her 3 times to send it there as I was going downtown at 130 pm and (I called ahead) they were open until 3 pm. She kept trying to send me to their Virgil location which I was unsure where it was. She then said OK I'll send it to the King St location. I was done my appointment by 1148 am. I arrived at Simpsons at 115 pm and there was no prescription. She was I such a hurry to leave the walk in clinic by noon she didn't call my prescription in. Simpsons called their Virgil location, Shoppers Drug Mart and no one had my prescription. They even called her with no answer. If it wasn't for the pharmacist at Simpsons prescribing me something I would have been sick and in pain all Christmas vacation just like, no doubt, the older woman the NP turned away. No clinics were open from that time forward to Dec 29th. I checked. I'm giving 2 for the lovely receptionist otherwise it would be 1 as 0 cannot be given.

They say an organization's greatest strength are its staff and I would like to acknowledge the few I know and interact with at this clinic. Firstly, Dr O'Leary and like most physicians is very busy. However if he is unable see you, he will call. Just be patient, if you do not hear from him the same day, it will be the following day. I like Dr O'Leary's disposition, he is listens to my issues, is patient, a good listener, demonstrates empathy, treats me with respect, and will accommodate my requests for referrals (that I have previously & independently inquired through Google) to specific specialists or surgeons. Appointments with him are never rushed. Secondly, the staff members Sam an administrator and Marna, who does does the emails and communication letters. Sam is confident, positive, confirms understanding of your needs especially messages to be forwarded to Dr O'Leary. She also responds promptly to general inquiries and always smiles. Marna handles among other things enquiries about the status of triage referrals. Like Sam, she is very competent, polite, responsive to inquiries, follow ups, never abrupt, patient and another valuable asset to the clinic. These staff members disposition and professionalism have always made my visits and phone inquiries more than just satisfactory.

My wife has been seen by Michelle Goodburn She performed physical assessment of my wife source of pain and after as well provided requisition form for xray and ultrasound for further investigation. We are very impressed by her performance. She is very dedicated to the patients.

I was told by a receptionist to come to this clinic during after hours if I felt I couldn't wait a few days for an appointment. The receptionist then turned me away telling me it wasn't urgent enough, even though I had explained what I was told. She also spoke too quietly behind the plexiglass and so many customers had to bend over to hear her. People in pain shouldn't have to be in more pain to hear someone. I've been to the Virgil clinic after hours and never been turned away even though those occasions were not as urgent.