I arrived 30 minutes early today for my first appointment with Active Care Health Services on Bathurst as I assumed I would likely be asked to fill out forms and paperwork prior to my assessment and beginning physio.
As I sat filling out the forms of which there were approximately 5 or 6 forms, the receptionist was talking on the phone. In reading over the forms, on one page that I was to sign for Chiropractic Care which I had not requested, I was crossing off the sections that stated that I accept the risks involved including convulsions, broken bones and worse. Just as I was completing that form, the receptionist interrupted her phone conversation to abruptly say that she gave me that form by mistake and I didn't need to complete it. I then was reading over the next acknowledging the risks of Acupuncture and other therapies as the therapist sees fit including burns, shocks, etc etc. This form referred to the "doctor listed below" however no doctor was listed. When I asked the receptionist who the doctor was she said just he is qualified and registered. " Just sign, just sign, just sign she said abruptly." Along with the lack of answers to my question that she clearly did not want to answer, I felt I was being bullied into 'Just Signing". I then responded to her quietly and evenly that I don't want to sign without reading the forms. I can't even remember her response to this at this moment. She must have said again just sign because it was at this moment I once again said gently but firmly that I do not want to sign what I have not read. It was at this same moment I decided something was not quite right about this place and that I needed to leave. I handed her back the mostly incomplete and unsigned forms and said quietly to her, "This does not feel right to me. I feel I'm being bullied in to signing forms I have not as yet read." I didn't mention her refusal to answer my question about the name of the doctor I was supposed to sign giving permission for him to perhaps burn or shock me. I followed my gut but I was disappointed as I had planned my day around this first appointment and had already waited a week for it. Still, I left feeling I had made the right decision and before I was even back home I was certain of it. I may have to wait another week for another appt at another Physio place but I hope at my next one my initial impression and the therapists instill confidence in me. I am not new to physio, chiropractors or acupuncture as over the years my active lifestyle has led me to seek out various therapies. Never have I encountered anything like this. I arrived at 2:30 pm and left the office at 2:45. I suggest you don't even try. She was still on the phone. I am taking the time to post of my experience so hopefully the owner is aware of how he just lost thousands of dollars in business.
M Gould read more
