COVID-19 Assessment Centre
9 reviews 1485 Heron Rd, Ottawa, ON +1 613-288-5353 www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/shared-content/assessment-centres.aspx suggest an edit
30 April 2021 9:58
The testing process is fast and professional. However, I've waited over four days for the report (it's still not posted by now) and wasted my whole week. Had I known that it would take so long, I would have gone to another center. Anyways, if you're not in need of a report urgently, you may still choose this site.
13 April 2021 21:16
* Terrible mess!
* Don't bother with booking, it is only for the optics.
* Expect to arrive and wait in the freeze for ours, without any information whatsoever!
They claim "By appointment only and very limited walk-up testing". Booked online. Got to the center, only to find out the long lineup. Asked ppl in the lineup about their appointments - ~30% were walk-ups. Waited for hours with a 4 yrs old, before reaching the door. Asked what happened to the booked time, it is hours past. Was told that "everyone here booked an appointment" (nope, checked with ppl in line), then some follow up BS to pacify the masses.
Since they ignore bookings, at least, they could issue a ticket system, with expected processing time, so ppl have a choice of waiting, or perhaps cancelling the appointment.
We are year into this, yet they cannot figure out any reasonable scheduling system!
* Don't bother with booking, it is only for the optics.
* Expect to arrive and wait in the freeze for ours, without any information whatsoever!
They claim "By appointment only and very limited walk-up testing". Booked online. Got to the center, only to find out the long lineup. Asked ppl in the lineup about their appointments - ~30% were walk-ups. Waited for hours with a 4 yrs old, before reaching the door. Asked what happened to the booked time, it is hours past. Was told that "everyone here booked an appointment" (nope, checked with ppl in line), then some follow up BS to pacify the masses.
Since they ignore bookings, at least, they could issue a ticket system, with expected processing time, so ppl have a choice of waiting, or perhaps cancelling the appointment.
We are year into this, yet they cannot figure out any reasonable scheduling system!
12 April 2021 12:20
I have visited this place several times since the pandemic began. If you are looking for something to do during this pandemic, this is a great place to visit especially if you have cough, fever, or difficulty breathing. You have the opportunity to witness some COVID heroes in action, get a COVID test (for FREE if it isn't for travel purposes) and, if you are lucky, test out their x-ray machine to look at your lungs. As if that weren't enough, the staff is SUPER nice and BILINGUAL. C'est fantastique!
30 November 2020 13:36
Great clinic, staff very friendly and understanding. I got tested on a Thursday late afternoon. I go my results within less than 36 hours. I strongly recommend.
09 November 2020 10:33
Did test on thursday. Needed result for monday for flight. Still no results.
Do not use this clinic.
Do not use this clinic.
07 November 2020 7:24
Sept. 18 Drove past the Heron Rd. Covid testing centre at 8 am, the line was 3 hours long. At 9am (opening time) the line was 4 hours long. Bring water and a chair.
04 November 2020 6:21
I arrived at 6h45 am expecting to have a long line up. I was 15th in line, the center opened at 8h00 and by 9h00 I was walking out. The place is very well organized and the staff is very friendly. Not that I want to go back but if I must I'm going back there!
29 October 2020 21:55
Excellent location. Fast for me. Super friendly and professional staff. Please ignore the negative reviews here. You have to expect some busy times these days. Do not be selfish and impatient. Just wait patiently for your turn.
27 September 2020 22:14
Low star rating to reflect poor organization and not staff as a whole.
Pro: Staff was friendly, lots of parking. Had a portable washroom on side with hand washing station.
Con: 4 hours wait, confusion as to where to go and what to do, two different testing areas (more confusion), other people getting tested before you that got there after you, all of the wait is outdoors (not bad today in September but will be an issue come winter).
Recommendation for general public: bring a chair, food, drinks, entertainment, arrive either 1 hours before opening or at 2: 30 they seemed to be taking people even though they turned people away earlier in the day.
I got there at 1030 am. There was no one to greet new comers and explain the process. Had to ask other people in line. There were two lines. One super long one and one short one that went up to a tent where tests were being done. I was told to go in the long line. As time passed I noticed that staff would take people at random from the Middle of the long line to be tested. This was great for the people that happened to be chosen but the people that waited less time then me were chose to go to the tent testing area. It’s incredibly frustrating to wait 4 hours and have people skip ahead of you.
At 11 am I noticed security talking to new cars pulling in and they would all do a u-turn and leave. I’m assuming they were told it was full for the day. At 2: 45 when I was leaving the security guard wasn’t there anymore and it looked like people were lining up to be tested.
After waiting 3 hours you get to a sign that says “read this sign before getting in line. ” it basically says if you don’t have symptoms come back in 5 days, if you do stay in line.
I understand that this is “unprecedented times” but there are some simple things that can be changed to make covid testing less frustrating.
Recommendation for someone in charge of organization:
1. Assign a person in charge of information and guiding people where to go (help avoid confusion and promote flow of the line)
2. Pick people from the front of the line to go to the tent testing booth (super frustrating when someone skipping ahead of you in line)
3. Move signs that say “before standing in line” to where the line starts (so people don’t wait 4 hours before seeing the sign that says to come back in 5 days)
4. Invite a chip stand to provide food services (this is half a joke but I’m sure they’d make bank)
Pro: Staff was friendly, lots of parking. Had a portable washroom on side with hand washing station.
Con: 4 hours wait, confusion as to where to go and what to do, two different testing areas (more confusion), other people getting tested before you that got there after you, all of the wait is outdoors (not bad today in September but will be an issue come winter).
Recommendation for general public: bring a chair, food, drinks, entertainment, arrive either 1 hours before opening or at 2: 30 they seemed to be taking people even though they turned people away earlier in the day.
I got there at 1030 am. There was no one to greet new comers and explain the process. Had to ask other people in line. There were two lines. One super long one and one short one that went up to a tent where tests were being done. I was told to go in the long line. As time passed I noticed that staff would take people at random from the Middle of the long line to be tested. This was great for the people that happened to be chosen but the people that waited less time then me were chose to go to the tent testing area. It’s incredibly frustrating to wait 4 hours and have people skip ahead of you.
At 11 am I noticed security talking to new cars pulling in and they would all do a u-turn and leave. I’m assuming they were told it was full for the day. At 2: 45 when I was leaving the security guard wasn’t there anymore and it looked like people were lining up to be tested.
After waiting 3 hours you get to a sign that says “read this sign before getting in line. ” it basically says if you don’t have symptoms come back in 5 days, if you do stay in line.
I understand that this is “unprecedented times” but there are some simple things that can be changed to make covid testing less frustrating.
Recommendation for someone in charge of organization:
1. Assign a person in charge of information and guiding people where to go (help avoid confusion and promote flow of the line)
2. Pick people from the front of the line to go to the tent testing booth (super frustrating when someone skipping ahead of you in line)
3. Move signs that say “before standing in line” to where the line starts (so people don’t wait 4 hours before seeing the sign that says to come back in 5 days)
4. Invite a chip stand to provide food services (this is half a joke but I’m sure they’d make bank)