On August 24, 2020, we were pleased to welcome back patients to the chiropody clinic. Please click HERE to review what’s new in the clinic, what you can expect at your appointment, what is required of all patients, and safety and sanitation protocols. We wanted to address some of the frequently asked questions.
How do I book an appointment?
Our appointment booking process has changed. All patients will be contacted by the Bernard Betel Centre to book an appointment. Please do not call or come to the clinic to book an appointment, including follow-up appointments. Appointments that were cancelled due to COVID-19 and the closure of the Bernard Betel Centre, will be rebooked in priority order from appointments cancelled on March 16 and onwards. Appointments will be booked in 2-week blocks of time.
Are you screening everyone that enters the building for COVID-19?
Yes. Everyone that enters the building is screened for COVID-19. All patients and their companions will be required to answer a series of screening questions, and sign a health declaration form and a new waiver. If you answer YES to any of the screening questions, you will not be permitted to proceed with your scheduled appointment, and will be kindly asked to leave the centre. Information will be provided to you about what the next steps are if you answer YES to any of these questions.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Yes. A mask or face covering is required for the entire duration that you are in the centre. You must keep your mask or face covering on at all times. Please do not remove or lower the mask while you are at the centre.
Can I wear gloves to my appointment?
We do not recommend wearing gloves in our clinic, and you will be asked to remove and discard them if you have them on when you arrive, so that you can sanitize your hands upon entry.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring only what is required for the appointment. Please leave personal items at home or safely stowed in your car, and limit the number of items you bring into the centre. Please do not bring in shopping bags, backpacks or large bags, food, drinks, or pets.
My membership expired while the centre was closed. Will the chiropodist see me when I arrive for my appointment?
The Bernard Betel Centre has paused all memberships for the time the centre has been closed. Your membership will be un-paused on the date of your appointment, and a new expiration date will be applied. You will receive a new membership card when you arrive for your appointment. If you would like to renew your membership at any time, please call 416-225-2112, ext. 0.
Can I bring my husband, wife, partner, family member, or friend to my appointment?
In order to limit the number of people in the centre, and to ensure we are practicing physical distancing, only patients will be allowed in the centre. Essential companions (family members, caregivers, etc.) will be allowed to come into the centre with the patient if the patient requires assistance or translation. If your companion is driving you to your appointment, and you do not require their assistance during the appointment, we ask that if possible they please stay in their car or outside for the duration of the appointment.
I need help with translation. Do you have staff available that can assist with translation?
No. At this time, we do not have staff that can provide translation. If you need translation, please bring a companion with you to your appointment that can provide translation.
I have not received a call for an appointment yet, can I drop-in for an appointment?
No. If you do not have an appointment, do not come to the Bernard Betel Centre. Only individuals with appointments (and their essential companion) will be allowed into the centre. We do not accepts walk-in appointments. If you need to be seen before your next appointment, please contact one of the clinics on our referral list, your family doctor, or go to a walk-in clinic. If it is an emergency, please call 911, go to the hospital or the ER.
If I arrive earlier than 15 minutes for my appointment, will I have to wait outside?
Please do your best to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment. We ask that patients not arrive earlier than 15 minutes before their appointment so that there is not any overlap with other patients that are also arriving for their appointments. We understand some factors are out of your control, so if you arrive earlier than 15 minutes before your appointment and cannot wait in your car or outside, we have room in the centre to wait before your appointment. When you arrive, go to the chiropody Entrance door, and push the buzzer at the door. If there is no one in our Screening Station at that moment, our staff will let you in. If there is a patient in the Screening Station, you may have to wait a few minutes outside until the person is done being screened.
What if I wake up the morning of my appointment and do not feel well?
If you feel ill or any COVID-19 symptoms appear at any time before your appointment (even the morning of your appointment), please call us as soon as possible at 416-225-2112, ext. 131 and speak to the staff or leave a message, and we will reschedule your appointment without penalty. If you do not feel well or have any COVID-19 symptoms, please do not come to the Bernard Betel Centre.
What if I am late for my appointment?
We have a strict late arrival policy, and we will not be able to see any patients that arrive late for their appointment. If you arrive late for your appointment, you will not be seen that day, and your appointment will be rescheduled for 1-2 weeks later, depending on availability.
How long will it be between my appointments?
Due to the new protocols, the return-to-clinic time is approximately 5-6 months. We are encouraging all patients to supplement the care they receive at the Bernard Betel Centre with another foot care clinic. You can access a list of our referral clinics HERE, or you can receive a hard copy of this list when you are at the centre for your appointment.
What if I need to be seen sooner that the current return-to-clinic time?
If you need to be seen sooner than the current return-to-clinic time, you will need to seek services at another foot care clinic in between your appointments at the Bernard Betel Centre. You can access a list of our referral clinics HERE. We cannot accommodate a shorter return-to-clinic time for any patient. There are no exceptions.
How do I book a follow-up appointment?
Our appointment booking process has changed. All patients will be contacted by the Bernard Betel Centre to book a follow-up appointment. Please do not call or come to the clinic to book an appointment.
I have never attended the Bernard Betel Centre chiropody clinic, but I would like to start now. Are you accepting new patients?
No. We are not currently accepting any new patients. At this time, we do not know when we will be able to accept new patients.
I have a question that you missed, how can I send you my question?
Please email any questions you have to feedback@betelcentre.org.
