Note that we only accept referrals from physicians and nurse practitioners
The Helmcken Pain Clinic is a referral-only (excluding physiotherapy) medical clinic specializing in the interventional management of chronic pain. We can only accept referrals from other physicians or nurse practitioners. We do not take self-referrals. If you have chronic pain (including headaches) please ask your family doctor if a referral is appropriate. If you have been previously seen at the Helmcken Pain Clinic please see our re-referral policy.
Patients without a family doctor please refer to the Pathways website for a list of physicians accepting new patients and for virtual care options. We do accept referrals from walk-in clinics provided the accompanying documentation meets the requirements for previous work-up and physical examination.
We do not accept referrals from e-medicine providers such as Telus Health unless you have been seen at one of their in-person clinics and had a physical examination.
We do not prescribe opioids, cannabinoids, or psychedelics.
Physicians and nurse practitioners can use the Consultation Referral Form to refer a patient to the Helmcken Pain Clinic. Please note that this form does NOT upload directly to our clinic. Please print then MAIL or FAX the completed form to us. Referrals made using this form will be triaged and seen based on the information provided and follow-up will be done by the Helmcken Pain Clinic physicians. The wait time for these consultations varies from 3 (urgent) – 24 (routine) months depending on the triage. Urgent requests require direct physician-to-physician communication.
The Direct to Procedure Program has been temporarily halted due to an influx of inappropriate referrals. All consultations will be reviewed and patients who may benefit from DTP will be offered the option.
We will send a response back to the referring provider indicating the estimated wait time. Our waitlist is very long. Please do not ask patients to call our clinic. If you have received our response then your patient is on our list. If the patient’s condition changes please send updated information for us to take into consideration.