FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Family Health Team (FHT)? Why should I join a Family Health Team? My doctor is part of a Family Health Team. Is it mandatory to register for the team? What type of Interdisciplinary Health Professionals are at the Humber River Family Health Team? My doctor referred me to see another health professional in your group. How do I make an appointment? Do I have to pay for this service? Where do I go for appointments? Are counselling sessions one-on-one or group-based? I started seeing a health professional at one location, but now I want to go to another. Is that allowed? What happens if I miss an appointment? What is a Social Worker? What is a Nurse Practitioner? What is the After Hours Clinic? Who is able to go to the After Hours Clinic? When and where is the After Hours Clinic? Can I see my own doctor at the After Hours Clinic? How will my doctor know I visited the After Hours Clinic? What is Diabetes? What causes Diabetes? What are the types of Diabetes? What is Pre-Diabetes? What Is Mental Health? What is “Mental Illness”? What are the causes of Mental illnesses?
What is a Family Health Team (FHT)?
Family Health Teams provide family health care services by working with a family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and a range of other health care professionals.
They develop community-based programs that emphasize health promotion, illness prevention and early detection/diagnosis.
FHTs links patients to other parts of the health care system such as acute care, long-term care, public health, mental health, addictions, and community programs and services.
Adapted from http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/fht/docs/fht_roadmap.pdf
Why should I join a Family Health Team?
A Family Health Team provides care to patients in a collaborative approach. Teams consist of family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, dietitians, social workers, and more.
Being registered with the team allows for you to have access to many more services (FREE) such as: other health professionals, an after-hours clinic for evening and weekend visits, and a Telephone Health Advisory Service to call for urgent issues.
By working together, the best possible care is delivered to patients compassionately and effectively.
My doctor is part of a Family Health Team. Is it mandatory to register for the team?
No. Registration for the Family Health Team is recommended, but voluntary.
What type of Interdisciplinary Health Professionals are at the Humber River Family Health Team?
The Humber River FHT currently has Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Diabetes Education Nurse, Social Workers, Dietitians, a Chiropodist and a Pharamcist.
My doctor referred me to see another health professional in your group. How do I make an appointment?
A Family Health Team member will contact you to arrange an appointment. If you do not receive a call within 7 days of seeing your doctor, please call 416-740-2810 or 647-342-8266
Do I have to pay for this service?
No. Seeing any of the health professionals is a benefit of being registered in the Family Health Team. There is no cost.
Where do I go for appointments?
The Humber River FHT has 8 different locations:
When your appointment is booked, you will be given the option to choose which location you would like to go to.
Are counselling sessions one-on-one or group-based?
In person counselling sessions or virtual appts are offered to patients.
I started seeing a health professional at one location, but now I want to go to another. Is that allowed?
Yes. Speak to your health professional about switching so you can be booked for an appropriate appointment at the right place.
What happens if I miss an appointment?
The Humber River FHT has a cancellation and no show policy.
All appointments need at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellation. If you do not show for two consecutive appointments, you will not be rebooked at that time and you will be required to revisit your family physician for another referral.
What is a Social Worker?
A Social Worker at the Humber River FHT is a health care professional responsible for the psycho-social needs of each patient. Through a combination goal setting, therapy, and education, their goal is to empower each patient to achieve mental wellness.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have expanded education levels and who work closely with your doctor to provide superior quality of care. They are an integral part to HRFHT as they are able to:
- diagnose and treat illnesses
- order tests
- prescribe medications
- involve patients in decisions related to their care
- improve access to primary health care
- provide high-quality management of chronic illness (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
- create and maintain close relationships with patients
Nurse Practitioners are continuously teaching individuals and their families about healthy living, preventing diseases, and managing illnesses.
What is the After Hours Clinic?
The After Hours Clinic is for registered patients to seek medical care when their doctor is not available.
Avoid Walk-In Clinics they don't have your full medical histiry.By seeing our medical team you can be assured that your medical information stays in one place and we can continue your care.
If you are having an emergency, please visit your nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately.
Who is able to go to the After Hours Clinic?
Patients who are registered with the HRFHT are able to see the doctor that is available during the After Hours Clinic. To find out if your doctor is part of the Humber River Family Health Team, check the monthly schedule or call the information line at 647-288-1006
When and where is the After Hours Clinic?
CLICK HERE for the March 2023 After Hours Clinic Schedule
CLICK HERE for the addresses, location and phone numbers for the doctors who are on call.
Please do not come to our office if you have any Covid Symptoms
After Hours Clinic Information Line: 647-288-1006. Virtual consultation with the Doctor On-Call is available to patients registered with the FHT & FHO from for urgent sick visits only. Contact your Family Physicians for: Regular Visits/Immunizations, Narcotic Prescription, Forms, Doctor's Notes, TB Tests & Interpretations.
Avoid Walk-In Clinics they don't have your full medical history. By seeing our medical team you can be assured that your medical information stays in one place and we can continue your care.
*Remember to bring a valid health card to every appointment.
Can I see my own doctor at the After Hours Clinic?
There are 32 family physicians in the Humber River FHT. Each day, there will be a different Doctor On-Call. To find out when your doctor will be at the clinic check the monthly AHC schedule or call 647-288-1006
How will my doctor know I visited the After Hours Clinic?
Your family physician will receive your notes within 24 hours of your visit to the clinic.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes - is a metabolism disorder that causes a person to have high sugar levels in their blood.
What causes Diabetes?
When we eat food it is broken down by the digestive system into smaller parts so that the body can use it’s nutrients.
A majority of the food is broken down into glucose (sugar).
Glucose is the bodies’ main source of energy and is transported through the blood to the cells with the help of insulin. The main causes of diabetes are low/no insulin production or bad/no insulin reception of the cells.
What are the types of Diabetes?
There are 3 types of Diabetes;
- Type 1
- Type 2
- Gestational Diabetes (GDM) [Affects pregnant women]
The symptoms of Diabetes
Common symptoms may include;
- Urinating often
- Smelling Acetone (Nail polish remover)
- Feeling hungry after eating
- Blurry vision
- Slow healing cuts and bruises
- Weight loss even after increase calorie intake (Type 1)
- Tingling, pain or numbness in hands or feet.
- Gestational Diabetes (GDM) has no or mild symptoms and are not life threatening.
What is Pre-Diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is the medical term determined by your doctor based on your blood sugar results.
These blood results indicate abnormal, uncontrolled or impaired blood sugars meaning that there is a higher risk of progression to diabetes.
In order to reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and high blood sugars, patients may need to make lifestyle changes (nutrition, exercise, stress) and/or take medications related to blood sugar control or reduction of risk factors.
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to anything to do with our physiological or emotional condition; it is about the way we feel, think, and the way we conduct ourselves in everyday life.
What is “Mental Illness”?
Mental illnesses/disorders is any condition that effects the way an individual feels, thinks, behaves, or relates to their environment.
What are the causes of Mental illnesses?
There are many triggers/causes of mental illnesses. Some of the causes are:
- Biological - chemical imbalance in the brain
- Hereditary - it could be in your family (genetics)
- Physiological Trauma – examples such as abuse and neglecting
- Environmental stressors - surrounding environment causing stress