Westgate Medical Clinic

UPDATED:
I recently had to book an appointment with my doctor and the over-the-phone receptionist was really nice and cheerful - booking an appointment was easy and fast. I ended up having to go in, and found the reception staff nice and welcoming. Everyone was professional and the environment seemed COVID-safe as there wasn't any crowding in the lobby. I was even able to obtain a doctor's note with no hassle, which was one thing I was worried about.

Overall I had great service, and have updated my rating.

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It's currently late 2020 and a second rapid rise of COVID cases are happening. My family is in the unfortunate position of needing to find a new family doctor, so we decided on Westgate.

To be clear, my doctor seems fantastic. I've only had the introductory phone call with him, but I feel like I'm in good hands and he's easy to get along with. Could not be happier.

After the phone call, we're asked to fill out some consent forms in order for them to get data from our previous family doctor. In the interest of keeping my high-risk parents out of the doctor's office and also to help reduce COVID spread (out of respect to front-line workers like our doctors), I asked if we could sign the forms online, maybe by e-mailing a pdf, which makes sense to me because: 1) Forms during the pandemic (government, school, unit rentals, etc.) have all been handled online. 2) When calling the clinic, the automated message stated that the only patients being seen are those who have serious illness.

To be clear, I always try to keep a friendly demeanor towards any staff because I know they deal with difficult people all the time; I never want to be rude. The reception staff stated impatiently and bluntly that I had to come in. I said, "May I ask why? Only because..." and reminded her about the pandemic, and she sighed and told me to hold. Another person was put on the line, and when I asked again, she stated that I could send a request to their e-mail address. She also held a condescending and impatient tone, and I felt like an incredible inconvenience despite trying to maintain a polite demeanor. At the end of the call, I apologized for the inconvenience.

I sent the e-mail, only to later be told by my parents that they contacted them directly and refused our request to handle it online, demanding that they come into the clinic for the forms.

I don't know if they were having a bad day, or what was going on. I don't know if they wanted to do things in clinic because of legal obligations (i.e. a need to verify patient identity or due to security risks of e-mailing forms), or because they don't have a scanner and only have physical copies of the forms, or just because they just plain don't want to. I just wanted a reason, and to work something out, but the whole experience felt very passive-aggressive.

I hope that I never have to go in, and that my future interactions will be with my doctor directly. He seems great, but everything else has left me very unsettled, like I'm some unnecessary burden. And maybe I am? I assumed health care professionals would be on the same page in terms of COVID safety, but maybe not. In which case, I don't know why they are trying to restrict appointments in the first place.

Great clinic. Dr. Gounden has helped me lose 40 lbs so far with a ketogenic diet. I tried everything before this. Highly recommend.

Excellent office, the staff are always friendly and accommodating. A few times I have needed to get in right away and they do the best they can to help. The girls at the front desk are always really nice, I'm not sure what others are talking about but I have never found there to be an issue. It's nice to have a Doctor in Maple Ridge, I feel very lucky, as I prefer to see the same person all of the time.

I'm not one to normally give a review but I could not have asked for a better Doctor or the love from the whole office in general. Dr. Sidhu and ALL the girls are so wonderful to deal with whether I'm calling in or in the office they always make sure to address all my needs and are so caring to me and my family. I highly recommend this office.