Medical Arts Centre

Amazing doctors. The doctors are compassionate and truly care.

Horrific wait times but that's not the clinics fault. They are picking up the slack for the shortage in family doctors in Nanaimo and can't fault them for helping the best they can.

The Medical Arts clinic is the only medical facility in Nanaimo willing to have a walk-in clinic. They do this in addition to their own practice clients and dedication to the service of the people Of Nanaimo. They deserve the upmost respect for the challenging job in front of them. Despite the heavy load they are well organized. I find generally that the front staff could be more welcoming.

The Medical Arts Centre is an absolute God send. In a city where waiting times are the norm for medical emergencies or otherwise, if you play it right, you can walk in to this clinic. Especially if you're an international student and don't have access to NRGH or a private doctor. I was there by 7AM for the 8AM opening and middle in the queue at the waiting. Thought I was only seen around 10ish, Dr Renier and the nurse staff were super courteous and professional. They patiently listened, immediately diagnosed, got a minor surgical procedure done and had me on my way with regular follow ups after. Even the accounts team were super sweet and made sure I got everything that was needed to claim insurance. After suffering for two full weeks stressing about NRGH, coming to Medical Arts was the best decision. I am super thankful to everyone there and highly recommend them!

Very bad timing. I show at 6: 30am for line up, 8am they schedule me at 9: 30am.
Finally I see at 11am. That is waste of time.

For being the only walk-in clinic in the city, they're doing a fantastic job. Can't imagine how overwhelmed they are and the doctor shortage isn't their fault.

If you need to access the walk-in clinic, my best advice is to show up as soon as the mall opens at 7AM. Even when I arrive that early, I'm often between 10th and 20th in line.

I've always been treated well here, the doctors and nurses are wonderful.

It's also very easy to get to-most bus routes in the city stop across the street at the bus exchange.

I’ve gone to medical arts since I was little, I’ve always had great care and understanding. My GP is Dr Barron. He always listens and helps me with all I ask. When it’s on a walk in bases, the staff always try to get me in as soon as possible. I hope they know how appreciated they are in the community.

I'm so thankful that people with no doctor are able to use this walk in clinic. They are the only one left open in Nanaimo and I hear for most of Vancouver island. The system can be frustrating but the front desks people are doing the best they can to accommodate everyone. Luckily you don't have to stay at the clinic. They give you an estimated time to come back. I think everyone should be more patient and be happy they decided to stay open because what would we do with out a walk in clinic and no family Dr? THANK YOU!

Who ever runs this facility needs to seriously assess their own reception staff’s job satisfaction. Today I had the worst possible experience from a relatively sensible looking & apparently seasoned Secretary who clearly considered herself entitled for God knows what reasons. One could easily pick her racist flair upon seeing a Muslim woman but I would rather choose not to touch that topic for being an IMG doctor and for the respect of the health care staff. However, Someone may need to remind her she can choose to stay home for her own mental health and not to cause stress for people contributing for their wages.
Also there isn’t any clear mentioning of a feedback email address on their website even though it says to come in person or write an email to register any complaints. The number is however the same with the same person answering the call. Nothing but a big joke and waste of valuable resources serving thousands of vulnerable patients throughout Nanaimo. Big big red flags

Wouldn't go again. Went in the morning and was able to get a time for 2 pm which was great, but the receptionist could not care less about the human beings outside the barrier. She was very rude and didnt have a care to give. Back at 2 there was a lady in the waiting room on her phone (or talking to herself) about her mental health and how it has her banned from schools, extremely sexual things as well and the Hells Angel's. She was naming people (first and last name) over and over as well as swearing. The staff didn't care, it was weird and uncomfortable. Especially regarding the sizes of men's privates.
The doctor didn't let me get a full sentence in before completely taking over and not letting me say anything else. I tried, but it was interrupted and disregarded. They may have known what they were talking about but I didn't feel heard at all and regretted going. Glad I got a diagnosis, but would never go there again unless I absolutely had no choice.

Look out for LIZZY
I waited in line for an hour on the floor, got to the front desk and was asked if I had a cough, I said yes I have a cough I’m here for my lungs and I smoke, this lady named lizzy basically told me to get out and take a Covid test so I said this is ridiculous and she said “don’t come back then” I turned around & put my foot down because no one is gonna disrespect me like that, I’m a client waiting patiently for my appointment and you’re desk assistant giving me attitude when you’re supposed to sit there quietly and do your damn job, there is no other clinics as I’m still an Alberta resident, I recommend you don’t talk to this little miss Lizzy unless you want an argument infront of 50 people on a Saturday morning at 9am.

Be prepared for long waits, loads of drug addicts, and Rude, Karen like behaviour from the Front counter staff with absolutely no accountability towards their taxpaying customers for giving wrong information. Embarrassing that this is the new normal for Canadian health care.

Concur with the many negative reviews on the front end staff being incredibly rude. Maybe the receptionist should get a profession where you are paid to be ignorant. Prison guard perhaps? Especially when you are dealing with people in there time of need Needless aggressive behaviour.

Maybe post a date of when your open at noon instead of just a piece of paper say sorry tomorrow we will be open at 12.
WHAT TOMORROW? !? !?

They do a good job as a walk in, especially with the amount of people they have to deal with on a daily basis. Dr Collins is one of the kindest physicians I've encountered. Thanks for what you do team.

They know people from out of town come here as it’s the only walk in clinic. They literally can’t post on their website they are closed for the day due to shortages. Nope you have to drive all the way down to find that out. No care at all. Sucks they can do whatever they want since they know they are needed

Old lady at the front desk picks and chooses who gets served she’s what’s wrong with the healthcare system in Canada

Good location for a Walk in Clinic, very busy but friendly, 3 waiting rooms, allow scheduling for doctor or nurse appointment, friendly staff.

Dr. Van Pel is the BEST! He takes the time to listen and understand his patients, while going above and beyond regarding follow ups. Thank you so much for always making me feel cared for and heard. You're a saint in the medical field, and we need more people like you in this world.

Amazing everything, all the stuff is super nice and helpful! Super grateful to have this clinic in my area!

Very rude front counter receptionists. Inconsistent applications of covid19 rules and protocol. Snapping fingers at patients for their attention. IMMEDIATE rude and demeaning comments and tone even when you are calm polite and professional with them. Will never be coming to this location again. Not to mention if you need a sick note for your employer your better off going to NRGH and sitting in emergency to get one at no cost otherwise your looking at a $40 fee for a piece of paper with a signature on it.not to mention NRGH wasn't too happy with them sending someone to emergency for a sick not because they have Covid19. LOL

Like this walk in clinic. Staff was very polite and gentle. I came at 9.30 am and schedule appointment at 12.30. That's was quick and I liked everything

They are all trying so hard to help as many people as they can and I felt it while I was there. Yes, there is limited intake in the walk in because too many people need this service and they only have so many doctors…
They have figured it out to avoid people waiting all day to possibly not be seen! So come early for the walk-in and read the patient count they are taking on the door, as that was the process they used while I was there Saturday to help everyone understand their capacity for the day. If you are within the count, what they then did, was take your name and gave everyone an approximate time they should come back for. Note: this was NOT an appointment time but rather to avoid you waiting in an overcrowded seating area until that time. Much appreciated on my end!
My daughter was unwell and we are one of many families that are without a family doctor at the moment, but we were lucky enough to get there early enough (8: 20 am for a 9am opening - I’d recommend earlier though) and be one of the last patients to see Dr Chris Collins. He was awesome; attentive, professional yet warm, and really seemed to care. Despite his (I’m sure) packed day and the fact he was running over as the clinic was supposed to be closing, he took the time to listen and carefully check everything and then explain things to her and recommend/send her for additional tests (bloodwork after asking how she felt about it) so his diagnosis could be confirmed. If I could have him as a family doctor I’d take it in a heartbeat. But I’m sure I’m not the only one!
Thank you to the staff who are trying so hard there and are still showing kindness despite the hardships in medical care right now. Hoping that the newer physicians being able to give some prescriptions out is giving you a bit of relief? I wish more clinics could take a page out of your book though and help Nanaimo out with the current lack of walk-in care!

They don't update their online website when they are at capacity. You are best to call in and ask. I made a long trip out because their website said they were open. Just to show up and find out that they were at capacity will not accepting more until the next day.

Got there at 8 waited to check in.told us to be back at 11 with the entire second half of the line up.
Staff doing bare minimum.unfriendly, uninspired health care workers.
How about staggering the returning people by 10 minutes so we all don't have to sit in a coughing pit for an hour and a half with sick kids.try harder port place medical.it's not working.m

It’s sad this is the only option for receiving healthcare in Nanaimo. Long waits and front desk staff are crusty but the doctors do their best.

Thanks to the caring and compassion from Dr. Katherine Coupland and for easy my mind with understandable explanation on an issue I am dealing with.