Someone will call you to give you a time for your first appointment at the General Hematology Clinic.
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List of doctors and hospitals.
Bring a list of doctors you have seen in the past and who may have information about your blood work. Also bring the names of the hospitals where you have been treated.
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List of all medications you are currently taking.
This includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamin or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.
See also: My First Appointment at UHN »
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Medications that you need to take.
Appointments can take several hours. Bring with you any medications you normally take during the day.
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A trusted friend or family member.
A friend or family member can give you emotional support and can help you make good choices. They can also help you gather information, take notes and ask questions.
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Questions to ask.
Bring a list of questions to your appointment to help you remember everything you want to ask.
See also: Treatment Decision-Making and Questions to Ask »
Learn more about what to bring to your appointment »
The first person you meet at the clinic is the receptionist. To sign in with the receptionist you will need your health card (OHIP card). If you do not have an OHIP card, please bring another form of government-issued photo ID. Your government-issued photo ID can be a driver's license, passport, or other provincial health card.
First appointments take longer than follow-up appointments.
Your first appointment can take an hour or more. After your visit to the clinic, you will likely go for blood tests at the:
Follow-up appointments usually take 15 to 30 minutes.
We do our best to stay on time. Unfortunately, your appointment may be delayed by unforeseen circumstances. We recommend that you come prepared for delays. For example, make sure your arrangements for babysitting, elder care and parking can accommodate a longer than usual appointment.
At the end of your first appointment, the nurse or doctor will give you a contact list for your team. If you don’t get a contact list, feel free to ask for it.
After every appointment, the nurse or receptionist will tell you about your next visit. Be sure you understand what is going to happen next. For example, know the time and place of your next visit or if someone will call you with this information.
If you are unsure about what your next steps are, don’t be afraid to ask a member of your team. We are there to help you.
If you leave a message, we will make every effort to return your call within 24 hours. Our staff will try to reach you 2 times. If we are not able to reach you directly, you may need to call us again. This is especially important if you do not have an answering machine for us to leave a message.
At your first appointment, you will be asked if you would like us to communicate with you by email. If you do, we will ask you to fill out a consent form.
This form outlines the risks of email communication and how it can be used safely. Many patients find email a convenient way to communicate with the team. Email should not be used in emergencies.
