Reviews of Oak Bay Medical Clinic (Hospital)

Josh Readshaw

The receptionist was amazing, she knew all the return clients by name, was efficent and so friendly! The wait time wasn't bad at all. The doctor didn't make us feel rushed through and actually looked over our concern thoroughly - which we've found to be super rare for walk in clinic Dr's. The facilities are a bit older but all in all it was the best Dr's experience we have had in victoria.

Madeleine Beach

Awful clinic. Very rude front of house staff, very mean. The doctor was very inpatient and rude to me aswell, I felt like he was annoyed having to help me. Would not recommend.

Tim Bracken

Love Dr. Rideout but have been hung up when calling in, staff is rude.

Shawn DeWolfe

My family doctor retired. His replacement selectively cherry picked from the patient list he acquired. I was not informed that the practice closed and only learned when I ran out of meds and phoned to get a resupply. I called the replacement doctor's office, Oak Bay Medical Clinic. I was told I was not on the patient list. They told me I wasn't on the list. They were going to check with Dr. McKay to see if I was actually on the list. No call back. No meds. It's really poor continuity of care. Patients' lives matter.

Kami

Best clinic in town

Ziyue Wu

I got a severely sprained ankle weeks ago and I don't know I have an appointment since no one notified me and the receptionist called me asked me if I'm able to come to the appointment later today and I said I still can't walk because the ankle still hurts so I can't make to the appointment and she said OK with impatient and rude tone then directly hang up the phone. Very unprofessional and ruined my day.

Jonathan Bell

BC and/or Victoria has a huge shortage of GP's. However, the staff and doctors at this clinic are very calm and professional. 5 stars to the clinic and staff.

Greg rhone

Best clinic in town.

Lindsay Simmonds

One star is too much for this clinic. They were so rude to me that I left in tears. I am shocked that people can continually get away with being so incredibly unkind and rude. NEVER, EVER GO THERE!

Dale W

I have been attending this clinic for twenty years. Over the years I have found the medical team compassionate, understanding, thorough, and above all professional. This clinic caters to every social status of clientele with the same challenges that all clinics face these days; staffing. It’s unfortunate that over the years the turnover of the front-end staff has created an environment that accepts mediocrity in its level of service. In years gone by these staff members were more closely aligned in their quality of professionalism as the physicians. Unfortunately, of late, and based on new demands to “process” as many patients as possible, the quality of service has dropped considerably. However, think of any service related business and the same statements seem to apply. Mediocrity is the norm. I am so fortunate to have Dr. How as my family physician during my entire time there, but been seen by every Locum and clinic physician in his absence, each providing the same level of professionalism. Just like a previous poster I hold a position that requires regular physical visits to maintain my accreditation, and incur the same costs for them providing this service. Could I find a less expensive clinic? Perhaps, but I know the level of service provided by Oak Bay Clinic and am willing to pay it. Besides, those costs are tax deductible. It is what is. For anyone either reading or writing a review I feel it’s only fair to make every effort to present an understanding of the demands any service related industry is under in these times, and not just make blanket statements.

Paige K

doctors were great but one receptionist was comically rude. i was in a great mood and it gave me a chuckle but some patients perhaps aren't as laid-back as me.

Peter Bernardin

I was seen by Dr Grewal and he was kind and helpful. The staff were great too

Freddy Pina

This clinic and the whole Island Health system is just broken. I don’t understand why Islanders have to put up with this. I pay tons of taxes here and I expect high quality healthcare service. It took me a week to find a doctor in-person after several failed phone and virtual appointments. The Dr @ this clinic blamed that on me (??)…this is going too far. Wake up Canadians! We can not support a single tier healthcare system. We need a private/public system urgently and end this quota system to walk-in clinics. They get fully paid for 5 minutes. Are you kidding me? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Dave B

Great clinic, MOA’s and Physicians. Busy but efficient and caring.

Sprite

if i could id rate zero stars, the rudest receptionists so unhelpful, save your self the trip go else where!!!!

Maria Kimiperelka

Even there's a clinic just steps away from my home, I still prefer to go to this clinic . Very good Dr's and receptionist . (Dr Rideout and Dr Mackay)

Audra Auclair

I've had a 50/50 experience of this clinic over the past few years and approximately 10 visits since I don't have a family doctor. Half the time I get a GREAT doctor and the staff is fantastic, the other half of the time it hasn't been good, usually it's clipped rude responses from staff and docs. I wish I could just have one of those good doctors as my family doctor so I can skip the process of driving all the way there to check in, drive home and drive back for my appointment. My biggest issue is that this clinic NEEDS to sign up with a site or app that allows people to check in from home. Not everyone is well enough or has the time to drive there twice in a day. Them assuming people do is not very philanthropic for those struggling with health issues. After a few years of seeing them I am determined to really hunt for a family doctor because their system is so dated and impractical.

Sara Salem

Staff are rude and not professional at all.

Kierin Dargie (Narralan)

Staff was VERY rude and had Made me wait half an hour (of a 1.5 hour wait) in the waiting room then demanded a prepayment of $210 for a Class 3 medical, I ask why it costs that much and their only response is the doctor gets the pick the price of the exams, this is a 5 minute eye exam and a physical check. I call a doctors office 5 minutes down the road and they said they can only charge $125, so I ask the lady why 5 minutes down the road I can get it done for nearly half the price. In any other industry it would be so frowned upon for doubling the price. Not only this but they proceeded to fill out the forum and ruin it. So I had to go back to icbc wait in line for an hour, then go to the other clinic. They are taking complete advantage of the “oak bay tax” and obviously do not care about taking in clients. I would highly recommend never coming here, not only would they double the charge they have zero customer service and a complete disregard for your forums.

Geo Trs

Professionalism and good service

Jessica Schmidt

Hard working staff and Doctors. Very supportive and helpful. Keep up the great work!

Dmytro MG

I have pretty simple things when i go to a doctor. My average appointment is about 3-5 minutes. Even though every time in this clinic they let you to talk about 1 concern only and then you have to come another day if you have something else. So, to solve 3 issues that would take about 10 minutes in total, they make me come 3 different days and waste 1 to 2 hours in waiting. It is ridiculous. How a full time working adult can afford to waste so much time? Today i came to get prescription. Receptionist told me that i have 2 options, she can fit me in if i wait a couple minutes or i can come back in about an hour. I said ill wait a couple minutes. As a result I waited 1 hour in a line and then got my prescription within LITERALLY 1 minute. And she never told me that it is not going to work out as she planned. Bravo ????

bob sproule

Attended this clinic this morning for an inner ear infection and was well received by the receptionist. I was subsequently seen by Dr. Grewal, who was friendly, personable, thorough, and professional. I would not hesitate in returning should the need arise in the future.

Katelyn Boon

Dr. Was rude and made me feel bad for needing to ask about two problems. I had to wait 2hr to see the doctor. A doctor should not make a patient feel bad for needing to ask. Going to this medical clinic was a awful experience and I would avoid going to this clinic.

Randy S

WOW! I have been so impressed with the service from this clinic over the last year. I don't have a GP but their "walk in" service has been very convenient for me. The clerks always answer the phone in a timely fashion, are very polite, and have been a pleasure to deal with over the phone during these difficult times. The doctors listen to me and show a real sense of understanding and seem to genuinely care for my well-being. A well run clinic with consistent service. Thank you!

Nathan Harvey

Awful staff, poor diagnosis multiple times, rude staff multiple times. You'd be better off going to Uvic and asking bio students for help.

Peggy McCann

I have been going to this clinic for many years and am super happy with my Doctor. He and his staff must be exhausted with the pandemic protocals in place, but they certainly are doing their very best. I appreciate what they do always....Thank you.....

Houman Sharifi

The staff are professional and the wait time is not long at all. But their doctors are not well enough to find out the patient's problems. Instead of getting an urgent colonoscopy appointment, the doctor got a uraine sample and made me sure I don't have bladder infection!!! Had no symptoms to make her think that I had urine infection! But I definitely had parasites symptoms and I was guessing it too! She talked 5 minutes to convince me that I was OK! I ended up going to emergency from sever abdominal pain a day after and I was diagnosed with parasites that were feeding off my body for the last three months!!!

David Green

Very professional, I was pleased with all aspects of my visits.

Sophia Brunoro

Reception was extremely rude and not helpful at all. I called and tried to book an appointment through the phone, but lines were busy. I specifically stayed on the line as it said to if one had any further questions. When I finally got a hold of reception, she was extremely rude and asked why I stayed on the line if I didn't have an appointment or family doctor there. She said, and I quote "if you would've listened to the first message you would know were are busy" in a terrible tone. Of course taken aback by this horrible attitude, my response was "the message actually said to stay on the line for further questions, which is what I am doing". They then asked what my question was and I asked if doctors ever discussed ADHD diagnoses, and her response was "I don't know, that's something you need to ask the doctor". Not very friendly or helpful.

Paul Wild

My experience at this clinic has been excellent. I was seen by Dr. Grewal and he was very helpful and attentive. The staff Jessica and Michaela were terrific too.

Tyler Pearson-Stephens

Horrible service. Under staffed. Turns people away. Victoria has the worst doctors & service i have ever seen. Useless doctors and grumpy unpleasant staff.

LEAM WILLIAMS

Receptionist was really rude, would not recommend just because of her attitude.

Gabriel Luna

Dr. Dustin J. Potiuk (MD, INC) is unequivocally the least professional, most abrasive, least helpful doctor I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. I requested an add-on medication to my existing two (2) psychiatric medications (none of which, including the requested prescription, are controlled substances or substances of abuse.) I made it explicitly clear that, despite my current medication and healthy, stable lifestyle, my depression was getting dangerously out of hand, and that I felt that I was caught in the midst of a downward spiral that could prove detrimental to my well-being. I was asked why I didn't talk to my family doctor about this, and informed Dr. Potiuk that she was unavailable- and, furthermore, that my schedule made it difficult to commit to a set appointment time. Seemingly oblivious to what I had just said, he repeated the question: why didn't I see my family doctor about it? He stated that he thought it preferable for my new prescription to be handled by her, to which I responded that the issue was time sensitive, and that, while I planned on seeing my family doctor as soon as possible, I was eager to begin a trial of the requested psychiatric drug (Bupropion). Dr. Potiuk then said that I would be best off going to an emergency room/seeing a psychiatrist if it was so important to me, his tone indicating that he did not consider the matter remotely urgent and had no intention of helping me (or even opening up a dialogue of some sort; pharmacology is my field of study.) When pressed, he hemmed and hawwed about not wanting to add to the "cocktail of drugs" that I'm already on. Cocktail of drugs? It's two medications that are often prescribed with Bupropion in the event that existing first line agents prove insufficient after a number of months. Addition of an NDRI to an SSRI medication is standard practice. It's far from an outrageous request; in fact, when I broached the subject with my family doctor months prior (opting to wait and see if my major depressive disorder would respond well to some positive lifestyle changes), she responded that she thought it was a 'very good idea', and that she fully supported the addition. Really, Potiuk? Your lack of empathy is appalling. Your willingness to let a potentially unstable patient out of the office because of your ambivalence to that patient's needs are appalling. Your confrontational tone, air of general conceit, and condescending manner are appalling. Quite frankly, I'm baffled by the notion that you manage to maintain a practice at all. My partner, visiting a week prior, seeking treatment of anxiety, was told to simply 'get [their] anxiety under control', and informed that their persistent headache was psychosomatic (no dialogue initiated, no questions asked- simply, a diagnosis based on zero evidence.) Rather than prescribe one of the many safe and effective long term anxiolytics (SSRIs, Busiprone, low-dose TCAs, et al), or even offer some advice on how to 'get [the] anxiety under control', he prescribed... a massage. Nevermind that the individual in question has an aversion to being touched by strangers (he would have discovered that, had he initiated any sort of dialogue)... hey, just don't be anxious! Sure, you have diagnosed GAD, but I'm sure if you try very hard to out-think your neurochemical imbalance, you'll find that your anxiety disappears! Dr. Potiuk does not seem to care a whit about the well being of his patients; thank you for opening my eyes to how totally inept medical "professionals" can be, and for completely and totally disregarding my medical needs. If I wanted to go to an emergency room, I would have gone to an emergency room... is it now standard practice to get ones psychiatric medications from the ER? I think not. On the plus side, one of the receptionists was very sweet, and the wait time was relatively short.

s stevenson

False hours advertised. Clinic always closed by 4

Deb Hall

I've been with Dr How since my own Dr, Dr Roe retired & Dr How took over his practice. I have never had any issues with him or the Oak Bay Medical Clinic. I've always found him to be a very caring n knowledgeable n professional Dr. All my family go to him n have nothing but praise about him.

Elaine S

thanks to this clinic who dealt with my co-worker in a timely and professional manner. I really appreciate all they did.

İma A

this is the best walk in clinic I have ever visited , the staff are friendly , professional , and all the doctors are good .

Lisa Young

I have been very impressed with the staff and doctors so far. It is the best walk-in clinic I have visited.

Carley Roller

I’ve had a very good experience here. The doctor I had was incredible. He told me the truth while being kind. I really appreciate how he spoke with me. I will leave out his name for privacy, but I hope he knows how much he helped me.

in cognito

Front staff was absolutely atrocious rude and no communication . The doctor was great tho

Jennifer Williams

The clinic staff were great, and the doctor I saw was kind, competent and helpful. I felt well looked after and will return.

Dennis Fraser

If you or your spouse has alzheimers go somewhere else My wife was not diagnosed until after it was to late. , not that there is a cure but it can be slowed sometimes. Then I was charger 165.00 for a form to be filled out. A friend of mine was charged 30.00 for the same form. I know it was the same as I filled out part of it for him

Monica Markulin

Very unhelpful staff.

L Cooney48

I love this clinic. Always the Doctors seem like professionals but in private practice.

Rio C

Very rude front desk staff.

carolinetooley

Dr Potuik had me shaking and in tears the last time I saw him. Whenever I was unlucky enough to get him the first thing he always did was berate me for not having a family doctor. When the last time I saw him I sat there incredulous when he threatened not to renew my psychiatric meds at all. I have been on these meds for 15 yrs or so to successfully treat my manic depression. He truly set me back and he wrote a letter and put it in my file covering his ass no doubt. My issue is with Dr Potuik not Oak Bay medical. I have been going to that same clinic since about 2008 and every other Doctor has been great with me and I with them. Dr. Potuik should not being practicing medicine.

Wyatt Zieger

at oak Bay there is A very Respectful and undeRstanding Young 'Sweet dArk haired girl up front. Ive never Seen someone who knows how to treat patients better. I am 20 and she treated me like how she would want to be treated, CoUld easily teach good behaviour traits to neaNderThals, clearly very hard working and dedicated to her job and also pretty easy on the eyes if i do say so.

neoconstantine lacruz

For 5 years I've had a family doctor at this clinic and my condition requires I have an appointment at least every month. In more than 60 visits and many phone calls the desk staff have been unfailingly polite and professional, not just to me because I'm a regular but to everyone who comes in. If you had a bad experience it's a rarity. A teensy bit of a precious snowflake are we, jenny?.

Julie McDonald

Our family doctor works out of this clinic (Dr. McKay). He is wonderful, considerate and patient. Can’t say enough good things about him. He treats my husband, my daughter and me. Trust him completely and feel he always goes above and beyond.