Ultima Medicentre

I’ve been coming here for a few years as it is just across the street from my work.
Unfortunately, you really have to pick your days and times carefully for the visits, and even then you’ll have to hold thumbs. In my experience, as each week progresses it becomes increasingly difficult to get in.
Came in Monday morning just before 9 and gave them my name. I was told to come back at 9:40. I came back to a waiting room with one other person seated and waited. And waited. By 10:15 it didn’t feel like I was going to see a doctor anytime soon and the waiting room was now almost full. I told them I had to get back to work and could not wait any longer.
I have had good experiences with the doctors here and have been pleased with the referrals they have made. The doctors ask the right questions and usually offer good insight. When I’ve come in with multiple concerns, they are careful to address all of them.
I understand this is a drop-​in and that you have to be patient, but if I come in early and get an assigned time later on — even if it’s only an estimate– it would be nice not to have to wait an hour after the assigned time. No exaggeration — this has happened a few times. Spending one’s lunch hour in the drop-​in office? I can think of better things.
I would love to find a quieter drop-​in clinic downtown that values one’s time a bit more. I am all ears if anyone knows of a good place.

I have been going to this walk in clinic for a few years now. My favorite doctor is Wendy. She is super super friendly and really listens to what’s going. She also has a really good memory for people she has seen before. The wait for this walk in clinic can be very long, but I love how they let you put your name down and come back later. This work really well if you work downtown.

I had been dreading to go to a walk in clinic because I was certain that I would be awaiting terrible service with a scoop of dingy and dirty facilities but this clinic changed my opinions completely. 1. The receptionist was a doll! She was very kind and helpful 2. The doctor who saw me (Dr. Wendy) was amazing!!! she cleared all my doubts and helped me with my appointment. She was very clear, supportive and took her time to explain everything to me.
Even though I had to wait I think that it was totally worth it in exchange of my peace of mind.

Maybe I came here on a bad day? I really don’t know. I tried going to Steins clinic for walk in, but they had exceeded their patient limit for the day so, I decided to use Google Maps, and go a few blocks away to Ultima, then my horrible experience began.
I arrived at Ultima Medi-​centre and asked to see a walk in doctor. One receptionist told me they wouldn’t accept patients until one. So, I killed an hour and a half. I returned fifteen minutes early to find that they were already accepting patients and now I would have to wait about half an hour. Then I had to deal with another receptionist, who was very very snarky about everything. It’s good that I know how to deal with hospitals, and clinics because this place isn’t the most exciting. Eventually, my name was called and I was brought to wait in a patient room.
Now, we get to the next problem. The receptionist pointed to room. «Go in» and then proceeded to walk away, and she didn’t even close the door. The room itself was dingy looking. The bottom half of the door was dirty, and everything looked severely outdated. However, all this could have been forgiven if it wasn’t for the attitude of the doctor I saw.
I came to the Doctor with two problems:
–My dislocated jaw
–I needed a prescription
My jaw has of late been getting worse, and I wanted a second opinion on it. The doctor barely looked at it, and said «wow you’re jaw is pretty messed up». Well, thank you Captain Obvious. I already know it’s dislocated. She then told me «maybe I could see a masage therapist». She wrote me THE WORST recommendation note I have EVER received in my entire life which essentially said «see massage therapist as needed» she then told me I could just start calling them up in the phone book until I found one that deals with TMJ. No name of a massage therapist who specializes in it, nor the note saying massage therapy as needed for TMJ. You want me to go through EVERY massage therapist in the book? There are ALOT. Your the expert! I’m here for your opinion!
Then, we get to my prescription, she refused to listen to anything I had to say. She wrote her prescription for what she «assumed» would be best, and I asked her how much it might cost. As a student I’m concered that it would be costly. Her answer really shocked, and disgusted me «how should I know I just prescribe the stuff.» That’s exactly, why I am asking you?
She then proceeded to give me attitude saying I wasn’t really there about my jaw, and I was just there for the new prescription. My jaw is DISLOCATED I really want it to improve so I can eat real food again. I want professional opinions so I went looking for one! I had never been so insulted in my entire life. This woman is not a doctor, she is a woman with a degree in medicine who I ashamed to say has a practice. Needless to say, I doubt I will ever return.

Walk in clinic. Tricky location to find. It is near the water fountains on Dunsmuir between the TD and BMO buildings, right next to Laguna Blu Restaurant.
Was very very busy that morning; possibly due to another nearby walk in clinic being closed for the day. I was given a number in line by the receptionist and an estimated waiting time. I was instructed to call the clinic after an hour to check when I should return. Big bonus on saving my time on a work day!
Dr. Wendall saw me. She was efficient, but I wasn’t rushed. Am a happy patient.

**Crap forgot to review this one**
If am anything, I am injury prone. Classics include almost severing my toe while skipping rocks, breaking my foot trying to stand up, and most recent seriously injuring my should sleeping on a foam mattress.
So, my should was hurting. This doesn’t actually bring me to the doctor. Nor does the fact that I couldn’t move my arm. What did made me decide to have it looked at was when it very loudly popped and all of a sudden I could move it again three days later. This is when it occurred to me it may have been out of place.
Ultima is in the same building I work in, so I sucked it up after work one day to have it looked at. I *hate* going to the doctor. Without a family doctor for many years I have grown to expect the shit service offered by walk ins, but I figured they would at least be able to tell me if I had to have anything reset or if it was okay.
Walking at at half four I got to go into a visit room right after I checked in and they processed me as a new patient. This is exciting when you are used to waiting at least an hour at walk ins.
The doctor came in a few minutes later, I think it was Dr. Hunt I saw but this was a few weeks ago so I can’t 100% confirm the name. He actually sat down and did a medical history interview with me. Again, as an established walk-​in patient this is probably the second time in 15 years a doctor has actually asked me about my medical history.
I described my ouchy to him, let him know how I could move my arm when it was hurting, how it popped and movement was instantly restored, still a little sore, concerned it was not in the right place, etc. And he actually listened. Again, I’m used to shitty medical care so, again for the second time in 15 years I can say the doctor actually paid attention and let me explain what happened.
He then did a good shoulder exam to ensure my should was in place and in the right place. He checked symmetry, movement, and the like and informed he was happy with where it was and in fact I’m quite flexible (it was all those years pitching, which is also why I have shoulder problems). He was even friendly during my visit! He gave me my prognosis, let me know to take it easy for the next week with it (no tennis or anything), and no more foam mattresses (which I have no issue with!).
As someone who has received sub-​par medical attention for years this visit was incredibly refreshing. In future if I absolutely must visit the doctor, I will definitely return to this walk in.

This was a pretty good clinic. There was no wait time and I got a good doctor. The doctor listened to my symptoms and wasn’t rushed or anything. I liked that one of his suggestions was pretty simple.
To try to clear out clogged Eustachian tubes, he recommended chewing gum and occasionally holding my nostrils and blowing. It works. He also had a solution involving a prescription: Nasonex. But I like that he thought outside the box with the gum solution.