New Patients
How do I become a patient at Helmcken Pain Clinic?
To become a patient at Helmcken Pain Clinic you need a referral from your family doctor or nurse practitioner. Your family doctor must mail or fax the referral to us.
We do accept referrals from walk-in clinics provided the accompanying documentation meets the requirements for previous work-up and physical examinations.
If you would like to pay privately for physiotherapy services you do not need a doctor’s referral. You can book an appointment here.
Do you and my primary care provider work together?
Yes. As we are a specialist clinic, we will be sending your consults and other key notes to your primary care provider so they are informed of your plan of care. Your primary care doctor will continue to manage your overall health and well-being.
After my referral is sent, what is the typical wait time until I will receive an appointment?
The waitlist at Helmcken Pain Clinic is variable, but long. The typical wait time for an initial appointment is anywhere between 6-18 months, although it can be longer. When it is your turn on the list we will phone you and ask you to complete our new patient questionnaire. Your initial appointment will not be booked until after you have completed your new patient questionnaire so please ensure you do so after you have received the call from us.
Should I call to see where I am on the list?
No. Please do not call us to see where your spot is in line. We will call you when you are next in line to be seen. There is no cancellation list for new consults. You are taken in the order in which the referral was received.
Appointments & Scheduling
How do I make a follow up appointment?
After your initial assessment, the doctor and front desk staff will assist you in making a follow-up appointment while you are still in the clinic. If you need to re-schedule any follow-up appointments you can do so by phoning the clinic.
The phone line is busy or no one is answering, what are my options?
Kindly leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What happens if I need to re-schedule my appointment?
If you need to reschedule your appointment, please call the clinic. We require 24 hours notice for cancellations and rescheduling. Please phone us as early as possible if you need to reschedule as this increases the likelihood that we can fill your spot with another patient.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
We require a minimum of 1 business day (24 hours) notice for cancellations, please give us as much notice as possible so that we can fill the opening with another patient. Our waiting lists for consultations, office visits and procedures are very long and short notice cancellations mean some people will not be seen or receive treatment. Multiple missed appointments without advance notice will result in discharge from the practice. You may be required to pay a cancellation fee equivalent to the cost of the missed appointment if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice or miss your appointment.
I am feeling sick should I still come for my appointment?
We would rather you call to cancel your appointment if there is any chance you have a communicable disease. We are more than happy to reschedule your appointment and can get you on the cancellation list also. If the doctors or staff get sick then we may have to close the office, which would have a massive impact on treatment times. You are required to wear a mask if you have a cough.
What can I expect during my initial doctor consultation?
During your initial consultation with the doctor you can expect a thorough history to be taken. The doctor will then perform a physical exam and review any findings with you. Finally, recommendations regarding ongoing evidence based pain management strategies will be provided.
What should I bring to my first doctor consultation?
Please bring your BC Health Care Card, photo ID, and any questions that you have for the doctor. Any updated lists of medications, contact information, or primary care provider information should also be brought if applicable.
What can I expect during my initial physiotherapy consultation?
During your initial physiotherapy consult the physiotherapist will take a detailed history of your pain experience. You will then go through a physical assessment to see how your body is moving. Finally, you will be provided with a home exercise program and education about moving well with pain. There is always time for any of your questions to be answered. Please wear clothing that is comfortable to move in for your appointment.
What can I expect from my initial procedure?
Before your initial procedure the doctor will re-establish the reason for the procedure and confirm your pain pattern. The doctor will discuss the procedure with you and what to expect afterwards. You will be given an opportunity to ask any questions. The doctor will also let you know if the procedure is intended to be diagnostic (provide more information) or therapeutic (used for treatment). Your procedure may be guided by x-ray or ultrasound and may involve one or several injections depending on the procedure performed.
Can I drive myself home after my procedure?
The ability to drive following injections is determined on a case-by-case basis according to the CMA Drivers Guide (10th Ed)
If you have had sedation, general anesthetic, or taken analgesics such as Codeine or Tramadol then you cannot drive for 24 hours after taking the medication.
If you have weakness in a limb, dizziness, or other physical effects that impair your ability to drive then you cannot drive until those symptoms are absent.
You are safe to drive only if the above 2 conditions do not apply, the physician does not say otherwise and you feel safe to drive. The physician’s opinion supersedes all other advice or recommendations you have received.
What will my treatment plan look like?
Your treatment plan will vary as we take each person’s individual needs in mind, and these can always change. Treatment plans may include injections, medications, physical therapy, mental health/behavioral therapy, and/or other referrals. Most of these are MSP covered, however, some may have to be paid out of pocket. You will always be an active member of your treatment plan and can make decisions with our healthcare providers that best suite your needs.
Pain Clinic Policies
Privacy Policy
This policy outlines how we protect the personal information we collect about you. Personal information is any identifying information about you, including your physical and mental health. We value patient privacy and are committed to being accountable for how we treat your personal information. Everyone working for this office is required to adhere to the protections described in this policy.
This policy was developed in compliance with the British Columbia Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). PIPA sets out rules for how organizations such as our office can collect, use, disclose, store and retain your personal information. If you have any questions regarding our privacy practices, please contact your physician or one of our staff. You can read more on the policy here.
Opioids & Marijuana
We do not prescribe narcotics, opioids or marijuana. These are best prescribed by your primary physician. We may provide recommendations in our correspondence with your referring or family physician. We will not complete forms to allow marijuana purchase through dispensaries or co-ops. For more information on this policy click here.
Appointment Policy
We have a very long wait list for new patient consultations. These appointments are 60 minutes long and will not be rebooked if you miss the appointment without adequate notice unless there are extenuating circumstances. It is your responsibility to remember your appointment date and time regardless of whether you receive a courtesy reminder call. Missed appointments lead to longer wait lists and deprive other patients of the opportunity to be seen and have their pain treated. For more information on this policy click here.