Beacon Health

Beacon health might have good doctors but their reception is the worst! You can never expect them to pick a phone call. And it’s so sad when they call you back and by chance you miss that call you have to try 10000 times to call them back just to get somebody to speak to you!
This is terrible! We were so happy that we got to finally meet our family doctor but it turns to a disappointment soon. With never being able to get to speak to a doctor.

Someone has to look into this and change all the people at the reception. They are not worth it.

Reception team does pick up the call ever, when they say they would give you a call back they never do. They were supposed to send me doctor’s medical note for being absent from work they didn’t send when I e transfer the money. I call them next day they say they are going to send “now”. I wait few hours but I didn’t received a note I call back they didn’t pick up a phine for 50 - 55 minutes when they finally picked up a phone they again they say they are going to send “now” and when I finished call I again wait for two hours but they didn’t send me the note. Worst experience

I love Beacon Health, the clinic is so clean and beautiful. You schedule your appointment by phone and they are always on time, I never had to wait. Dr Kennedy is very attentive to his patients and always listens to our concerns. I highly recommend.

Been a patient here for nearly 2 years and pleased with the staff…My primary physician (dr. David Kennedy) on top of things and listens attentively as well as takes action when needed. The receptionist has been helpful, patient and super efficient. I moved here from the USA and find services provided at Beacon Health remarkable. Thank you to ALL!

After a mildly long wait time to get an intake appointment at this clinic, the experience has been relatively poor. The clinic seems to be managed in a restrictive and business-like manner, which doesn't lend itself well to healthcare. Communication leaves a fair amount to be desired. The care provided might be serviceable enough to those who have low-level need of care.

Update - since for some reason, you can’t respond to their responses. They never confirmed my identity and I never signed the form - I already emailed them and notified them of this. They kept harassing me with phone calls. Please stay away from this practice. They don’t take accountability for their error and still want to make it sound like the doctor actually “met” me or verified my identity.

—

BEWARE - do not recommend. Had to wait for over 3 months to get an intro call. Never met or spoke to the doctor but an untrained receptionist/nurse who was late to the scheduled call. They immediately filed to OHIP without confirming my identity nor meeting me first (even if virtually). Now I have to spend time and money to reverse what they did so I can go back to my original family doctor.

I've been with Beacon Health for over a year, and personally I've really enjoyed being with this clinic. Sure, the appointment window is 15-minute and they are strict with you being on time; however, you get to meet your doctor within 5 - 10 minutes if you show up on time and the doctors are very prompt and effective in taking care of you (referral, prescription, etc.). They always make an effort to ask you whether there are any other concerns and try to fit all your needs in one appointment. Personally I had no problem with the appointment length in resolving any health issues/concerns I had during a single visit, and I found the front staff to be nice and reasonable as well.

Yes I had to wait 3 months for the initial appointment, but that's pretty normal in Toronto to find a family doctor. I'm just glad that I found a clinic that I feel comfortable approaching who respects my time, as long as I can do the same for them as well. I'd recommend this clinic to any reasonable people who want their family doctor interactions to be efficient and effective.

Waited weeks for no follow-up, impossible to contact via phone or their online system. I’ve been seeking help for a medical issue for over half a year with no answers. I’m a newcomer who was referred here and this is so much worse than healthcare in my home country. Do not come here if you actually want to have your needs met.

I switched to this clinic after my doctor, Dr. Chanchlani, switched from Cadence Health Centre to this clinic. I've always had a positive experience with Dr. Chanchlani, and had a great experience with Dr. Zhang who covered for her maternity leave last year. However, the receptionists are awful. Every time I email to book an appointment with my doctor asking for her availability, they book with me a nurse practitioner instead, and don't even ask me if I'm available during the slot they book. Don't get me wrong - NPs are a good addition to any practice as they can handle most basic needs, but my needs require specialists and so I don't feel comfortable speaking to an NP because of their educational background. Moreover, I didn't switch to this clinic to speak to an NP, I switched to stay with my doctor. I got so fed up I had to call the clinic and tell them to just put a note on my file to never book with me an NP and to actually call me to confirm a time rather than booking it without my expressed consent. I work full time, as most people do, I can't just drop everything to go to an appointment I didn't even consent to. I'm afraid if this poor reception service continues, I would actually consider switching clinics.

Surprised at all the negative reviews I’ve had nothing but positive experiences and timely appointments with Beacon. Dr. Raveendran is excellent.

It has been a pain scheduling appointments, getting results or prescriptions. I don't even bother trying to get a call with the Dr anymore because it's honestly easier to go to a virtual walk-in. The reception/scheduling here is a mess

Don’t know about other family doctors but here you can’t connect to your doctor not even through email and front desk just hear your query and we will call you back but you never get any response no matter how serious your query is. The main problem is to approach your doctor or get an appointment when you really need that otherwise clinic is clean and good and no long waiting times when you reach for appointment

I would not recommend this clinic for a family doctor. It is much better visit a walk in clinic for your needs- it will by far be quicker and easier. It was almost impossible at any time to get through by phone to the clinic so I emailed a request for an appointment and after a week I get a response from the clinic that my doctor has been contacted. Then I wait another several weeks until I finally follow up and then they send a referral. If you need to see a specialist this adds another month or more to the wait time to see a specialist which is already several months. This completely defeats the purpose of having a family doctor- pretty much no value added.only delays. It would be advisable to request healthcarenconnect to assign a different family doctor or just continue to see walk-in clinics as I have done.

Reply:
Beacon Health's response below does not address the concern I mentioned above. It is a dishonest attempt to portray me as patient who does not understand how the healthcare system works when I had in fact already provided imaging results which contained legitimate concerns and tried to contact them multiple times. Never has a referral of mine sent by a walk-in clinic been rejected. Another dishonest claim is that they tried to contact me regarding my post- they did not.

Terrible experience! If you are looking for a medical clinic that staff care about you and your health, the basic reason that anyone would go to a clinic, please do yourself a favour and look somewhere else.
After few weeks of trying to book an urgent appointment with my family Dr or ANY Dr.available in their clinic due to the fact that they had all my test results; finally, I could book a phone appointment with my family Dr. ; but, I never received any call from her. I called the clinic half an hour after the time I was supposed to talk to the Dr.and receptionist asked me to wait saying that the Dr.was probably too busy and running late. I waited for another hour and called back again. It was then that she mentioned that Dr.left a note on the chart that the appointment was cancelled and she was unclear when that note was written! (she was surprisingly unapologetic and unconcerned)! & that updating clients about the change of appointment was not something that she usually dealt with & management would call me back to explain. I requested my medical documents and test result as soon as possible to take them to another clinic and meet with a Dr.urgently and all she said was that there was a FEE for that. At this moment that I’m writing this review 24 hrs has passed from the last conversation with this clinic, I called them again an hour ago asking for the management and they told me that the manager would call me back is few minutes. Now another hour passed. NO call from the manager and NO medical record and test results. I cannot even go to another clinic unless I repeat all my tests. The worst clinic I have ever dealt with!

I have been trying to book an appointment for the past 16 WEEKS. I was referred through to see Dr. R and the receptionists have been terrible this entire process. I sent over all requested information in April and it has been radio silence since. No matter when you call or email, you get no response other than 'please allow 4-8 weeks to process requests'. If you need a new family doctor or need this for specialists you're better off looking somewhere else. I'm sure the doctor is great but what good is that when there's no way to see them.

Doctor Zhang is professional and patient. BUT the receptionist is pretty bad. Not reachable by phone and not pay attention to details. It took me much more effort communicating with them compared to other receptionist I've met in the other clinics

Want to believe they care but I don’t.
Worst care ever.

This isn’t my first appointment, I was told I would need to have my old files transferred during my last appointment to have my meds filled.
I brought in my files a month ago, they only got up loaded two weeks ago.
Just seen My Dr, he didn’t read them as he’d been away, and having just gotten back a few days ago, didn’t do homework on his upcoming patients. He wouldn’t look at them and wouldn’t fill my long standing meds I very much need and have had to take half of to stretch em out.
I mentioned this, they are schedule 1 meds, they are important, I’d mentioned that I needed them on my last appointment.
I appreciate his need for time off, that’s important, but when back Its important to do your homework.
I’m not a dr, but if I don’t get my meds my health n safety of people I work with are at stake, I’d mentioned this also.
I can’t change to another Dr, why, there’s only six in your office?
I was told I’d have to go to another medical office or keep this Dr.
He’s efficient, like Data from Star Trek only not much of a bedside manner.
The ladies at front desk are nice but take calls? No.
I actually stood there and called, no answer, they weren’t doing anything, I hung up and called back. I had to wait two or three min to have them answer.
Got an appointment three weeks from now, did I mention I need my medications, yes.
After some badgering I’m on a cancelation list
There are no back to back appointments, so looking at two ailments at a time you’d need to take a another morning or afternoon off to see the Dr.
Sure I know money.
Only get paid for one appointment a day so no back to back.
I was told I’m not to go to a walk in clinic, now I need my meds. At minimum two weeks to make an appointment and you can’t see another Dr at this clinic, leaves one stranded if your really in need.

I believe you can do better, though I walked out on the dr. I’ve never done that before.

Drs need to talk to their patients, get to know them, show they care, not get them in and out like an assembly line.

Also, this isn’t my full actual name as this is social media.

My experience has been great so far. The staff is really helpful and kind. I’m a new patient of Dr. Jonathan Penner and I’m happy to have found a caring family doctor.

Came in to get a family doctor, the receptionist had me sit and wait for 30 min when I asked the other receptionist she told me to apply online, just for me to go on the website and one of the applications options being a phone call to the clinic. Which has me wondering why couldn't I just apply at he clinic? Why send me home to talk to someone at the clinic when I was already at the clinic?

P.s I was the only person in the waiting area the whole time.

Dr. Chanchlani is my doctor. She has been nothing but kind, caring, and knowledgable in every interaction I have had with her. She always responds to messages very promptly and even calls to give appointments on the same day. I have recommended Dr. Chanchlani to family members because she is an amazing doctor whom I can trust.

They keep putting me on hold and hanging up on me when I contact them. Happened twice.

Edit: Also never return your calls. Unfriendly reception who hang up.

I am pleased I selected Dr. Dongni Zhang as my Primary Care physician. Dr. Zhang is professional, personable & very patient. We had our first phone consultation a few weeks ago after which she ordered my FIT package delivered & sent me the blood work requisition form electronically. Today I visited Beacon Health in person to complete the rest of my physical examination. Dr. Zhang offered concise guidance regarding health matters that are not urgent but may require follow-up. Calm & reassuring. I live Downtown but not in the neighbourhood. It's helpful that Beacon Health is conveniently located & accessible by public transport. The premise is modern & clean. Well appointed consultation rooms. While I most often get sent to voicemail when I call Beacon Health, the receptionists were always helpful & polite when they returned my call. I met them for the first time this morning. Since it wasn't a busy morning, I was well taken care off.

Just got my tetnus vaccination and Rigbi (sorry if I butchered her beautiful name) was AHMAZING! Didn’t even feel it, please ask for her ALWAYS!
Great staff, clean facility, organised, great attitude and more

Terrible experience with the Receptionist this morning at Beacon Health. As a recent immigrant to Toronto, this was my first ever appointment with a family doctor (after having waited over 4 months) and I don't think I have ever met a clinic receptionist with a lower sense of empathy.

My appointment was initially scheduled for 12.45pm - however, just one night before the appointment, they changed it to 11.45am. I cleared my calendar at the last minute to make sure I wouldn't miss it.

I was running a few min late because of work and called the clinic 3 times to inform them, but no-one answered nor did they respond to my voicemail. I reached the clinic about 12 min late, and was informed by the Receptionist that the doctor had left. The Receptionist also provided false information that if you are more than "8 min" late, the doctor will not wait for you. When I asked where this '8 min' policy existed in their policies/guidelines, it turns out that number was pulled out of thin air by the Receptionist. Nor do they provide this information to you when they are confirming your appointment.

Turns out, they only give you a 15-min time slot at Beacon Health for a check-up (another red flag for anyone thinking of going to this clinic). And of course, when I went to reschedule my appointment - there was no near-future availabilities.

I find it bizarre that patients end up waiting months to get an appointment, and then hours to see the doctor when they're at the clinic - whereas at Beacon Health doctors barely wait 5-10 min for their patient. I find it even more bizarre that the Receptionist didn't bother to pick up my calls or call back after I left a message (keep in mind, I was there for 15 min while all this was going on and their phone only rang once AND they have 2 receptionists sitting at the desk). They also had no other patients in the waiting area nor did they make an effort to accommodate me at a later time (contrary to their automated replies to negative reviews).

If you're new in Toronto and new to the healthcare system, save yourself the time and effort, and find a clinic where the staff is kinder, more empathetic and honest.

Bad reception experience. Have difficulty to access and contact no matter by phone call or email. No confirmation email, incorrect appointment time, and inconsistent answer, which are interesting and unreliable. Doctors are nice and professional but reception is a _.

I was assigned to Dr. Raveendra for care and she’s been nothing but diligent and kind. This was the first time I needed care in Canada after being here for 3 years. Due to the time sensitive need for care due to my pregnancy, I got frustrated trying to navigate system, but since my appointments with Dr. Raveendra that I feel like I have the right support, required exams and explanations to kick of the crucial beginning of my first pregnancy.

I am in care of Dr. Kennedy, and could not be happier. The receptionists are understandably busy, but they always call back after you leave a message. Dr. Kennedy is knowledgeable, kind, and I never have the impression of being rushed in my visits. I can not recommend Beacon Health enough.

Horrible experience at front desk this morning. I came in for an appointment at 10: 15am and was late (my fault but I cannot control how bad or good traffic is).

Receptionist checked me in and asked me to wait (which I did), then asked me to come to the Pharmacy to check if my vaccines are ready. When I came back, she said you’re late so we have to reschedule you. I understood that part and was totally okay with that. But why would they check me in, ask me to wait just to tell me it will be rescheduled.

That’s not the worst part though. She didn’t fail to inform me that this is your first time being late, next time there will be $40 charge. It just sounds inhumane and unreasonable; I didnt cancel without notice, I did show up. Can anyone always be sure they are gonna be on time 100% with Toronto downtown traffic in the middle of a work day? It felt as if I was under their mercy and getting medical care (which is not free - either govt pays from my tax money or out of my pocket) is getting charity.

The whole delivery was a huge disappointment. It could’ve been way better had she shown a bit of empathy and understanding.

Nobody picks up at the reception and even if you leave a voicemail they don’t call you back. I can only imagine what a nightmare it will be to schedule appointments at this rate. Will look for another doctor