FAQ

What is the Vaughan Community Health Centre (VCHC)?

The Vaughan Community Health Centre (VCHC) is a non-profit, community-governed organization that receives funding from the Central Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. VCHC provides primary healthcare, health promotion, illness prevention, and community-based programs tailored to meet the needs of Vaughan residents, utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach.

Who provides services at VCHC?

VCHC’s interdisciplinary team includes family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered practical nurses, registered nurses, dietitians, social workers, chiropodists, physiotherapists, a community engagement worker, community health workers, medical secretaries, and various management and administrative staff. All team members are salaried employees, not fee-for-service (OHIP) providers.

Is VCHC a walk-in medical clinic?

No, VCHC is not a walk-in clinic and does not offer emergency or ambulatory services. Primary healthcare services are available only to registered clients. However, VCHC offers a range of health promotion, social, and health education programs and services to the wider community.

What types of health promotion and education services are offered?

VCHC offers a variety of social programs and support groups, including diabetes education, mental health and addiction programs, youth life skills, seniors’ and women’s wellness, and self-care and food access programs. Additional health promotion and education services are developed based on the evolving needs of clients and the community.

Are there any fees for services at VCHC?

All programs and services provided by VCHC are free of charge.

Who governs VCHC?

VCHC is a member agency of the Vaughan Health Campus of Care and operates as an incorporated not-for-profit organization. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors from the community.

Can I become a client of VCHC?

VCHC primarily serves residents of the City of Vaughan, with a focus on individuals who face challenges accessing primary healthcare services. The centre prioritizes serving those with mental health and addiction issues, as well as local youth and seniors.

How can I become a client?

To become a client, you can call the Centre at 905-303-8490 and speak with one of our medical secretaries for more information.

What sets VCHC apart from other medical clinics?

VCHC addresses health needs within the context of family and community. In addition to primary healthcare, VCHC provides a wide range of health promotion and illness prevention services that focus on the broader social determinants of health, such as education, equity, income, social support, employment, physical environment, and access to health services.

How long have Community Health Centres (CHCs) been in existence, and how many are there?

Community Health Centres (CHCs) have been operating in Canada since the 1920s. Today, there are over 300 CHCs across Canada, with more than 73 in Ontario alone, serving communities for over 30 years.

Are there other CHCs in Vaughan?

VCHC is the first Community Health Centre in Vaughan and York Region.

What role do CHCs play in the healthcare system?

CHCs are a crucial part of Ontario’s healthcare system, providing essential services in many communities. They work to enhance the capacity of families and communities to manage their health needs and chronic conditions. CHCs often serve as the primary delivery mechanism for community-based health services, promoting both individual and community health ownership.

My family and I don’t speak or understand English well. Can VCHC assist us?

Yes, VCHC is committed to meeting the needs of the community by offering programs and services in relevant languages and in a culturally sensitive manner. The centre has also recruited staff that reflect the diversity of the community.

As a newcomer or refugee without Ontario health insurance, can VCHC help me?

Yes, CHCs, including VCHC, provide services and support to non-insured community members.

I already have a family doctor but need help with housing, employment, or accessing government services. Can VCHC assist me?

Yes, VCHC can guide you on how to access those services and provide you with the necessary information.

For further information, please contact the VCHC at 905-303-8490. Our team is happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

How is the health care system in Canada regulated?

Canada’s current health care system is governed by the Canada Health Act of 1984. Under this Act, Canadian health care is overwhelmingly funded by the government. That is, it is free for residents of Canada (Permanent Resident), with the exception of some areas. Such as dentistry, ophthalmology, cosmetology and others. However, residents of the country fully pay for their medicine as part of taxes paid annually to the Canadian budget. And taxes in Canada are much higher than in the United States where there is no free medicine.

Who finances the health care system in Canada?

In Canada, the government pays most of the health care costs. Necessary medical care for permanent residents of the country is free of charge. However, the health systems in the provinces differ from each other, and there are certain health services that must be paid for.

What is the Canadians Health Act?

The Health Canada Act was passed into law in 1984. It guarantees the right to health insurance and medical care to all citizens and permanent residents of Canada. It is sometimes called Medicare. The healthcare system in Canada is one of the best in the world.

What does the Canadian Health Act guarantee?

The Canadian Health Act sets out five rules. It ensures that healthcare in Canada must be:

universal. The health of all citizens and permanent residents of Canada is insured by the state. Resident immigrants and convention refugees apply for health insurance in the province of residence. Refugee applicants are eligible for federal government programs. Parents of a child born in Canada apply for health insurance in the province of residence;
mobile. The insurance policy is retained even if a resident moves from one province to another, changes jobs, switches to or from unemployment benefits or social assistance;
affordable. Everyone in Canada has the right to health care from the country’s institutions and healthcare professionals;
comprehensive. Provincial health insurance plans, such as the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), provide all medically necessary care;
managed population. The health care system in Canada is governed by government representatives and elected officials. Health care costs are paid from taxes collected from the population.

How to get a medical degree in Canada?

It should be noted that Canada has a sufficient number of highly qualified medical professionals. After all, medical education in Canada is at a very high level. People who have obtained one of the medical degrees are required to pass a special qualifying examination (Qualifying Examination) by the professional organization Medical Council of Canada.

What is the name of the provincial health program in Ontario?

Each of the 10 provinces and each of the 3 territories of Canada is separately involved in the organization of health care on its territory. Specifically, Ontario’s provincial health program is called Ontario Health Coverage. Other provinces have their own similar programs. In any case, they are all eligible for the national Medicare program. Therefore, in Canada, you can get quality medical care in any region.

What types of health care can you get in Canada?

The backbone of Canadian healthcare is the so-called Family Phisician, who make up more than half of all doctors in the country. They monitor the health of their clients and determine to which specialist doctor the patient should be sent, if such a need arises. In addition, such a doctor, as a rule, knows a particular patient more deeply and can, upon request, consult a specialist doctor about certain aspects of the patient’s health.

There are also walk-in clinics in Canada. If you have a Health Card, you can always go to an appointment at such a clinic. It should be noted that most Canadians complain about the not very high level of logistics in such institutions. In particular, it is quite common to encounter long queues and slow service. However, do not forget that all of this is free. In any case, if there is an urgent situation, the walk-in clinic will provide fast and efficient service.

In every locality in Canada, there is an opportunity to use the services of a telephone line of free consultation (Health Links), with the help of which you can get expert advice on independent actions (or the undesirability of such actions) in a wide variety of cases, from fever to a traumatic situation. People with medical education and experience in medicine provide consultations.

Is immunization of the population mandatory in Canada?

Mandatory immunization of the population is one of the most effective ways to protect the population from serious infectious diseases (such as diphtheria, poliomyelitis, etc.). When registering a child for school, you must provide information about the availability of vaccinations. If any vaccinations are not enough, you need to contact your pediatrician or children’s health center for vaccinations.

Canada has a Community Immunization Schedule. For example, some vaccinations are given to children at 2 months of age, some – at 4 months, etc. Get a copy of the Immunization Schedule from your pediatrician, as the Schedule may vary from province to province. For information on vaccinations for school-age children, contact your city council at the Immunization Department.

Adult immunizations are also available in Canada. If you want to get vaccinated, you must contact your family doctor.

How do I call an ambulance in Canada?

If you need an emergency ambulance, call 911. If you are unable to get to the hospital on your own and you need urgent medical attention (difficulty breathing, heart attacks, and other possible causes of death), then call an ambulance. An ambulance team will arrive and take you to the emergency room at the hospital, where doctors will attend to you.

If you have a chronic illness: diabetes, high blood pressure, allergy to medications, you are obliged to inform your family doctor for appropriate medical care.

Am I entitled to maternity leave?

Maternity leave is the right of all working mothers in Canada. The temporary disability allowance is paid in connection with pregnancy, illness of one of the relatives, as well as persons who have been injured in the workplace or suffer from occupational diseases. The allowance is issued throughout the entire course of treatment. After that, such residents are entitled to a pension or a large one-time payment.

What do I need to know about doctors and clinics in Canada?

The health care system in Canada is largely based on primary care physicians who make up about 51% of all practicing physicians in Canada. They are the gateway between the patient and the formal health care system, and control access to most specialist doctors, hospital care, diagnostic tests, and prescription drugs. Such a family doctor can be changed an unlimited number of times on the advice of friends and a change in mood.

Most doctors have their own private practice and enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Many doctors work in hospitals or local health centers (There are polyclinics in the province of Quebec). For private doctors, the state pays for services depending on the assistance provided, and such doctors receive payment directly from the budget of the province or territory. Non-private therapists receive either a fixed salary or a fee based on the number of medical services provided.

When Canadians need medical care, they go to a general practitioner or clinic of their choice and show him/her a health insurance card, which is issued to all legal citizens and residents of the country. Canadians do not pay directly for medical services provided, and they do not need to fill out various forms for services covered by the insurance policy. There are no monetary limits or additional payments for such services.

Dentists work independently of the health care system unless there is an emergency dental surgeon’s need. Pharmacies are also independent organizations from the state.

More than 95% of all Canadian hospitals are operated as non-profit private organizations run by a local board of directors, volunteer organizations or municipalities. In addition to the national health insurance system, the provinces and territories also provide health care to those parts of the population that need additional health care – the elderly, children and the unemployed. These complementary healthcare packages often include free medicines, dental care, eye care, various aids for people with disabilities (prostheses, wheelchairs, etc.), and more.

Although the provinces and territories provide additional services to some segments of the population, this service sector is in the private sector, which means that the inhabitants of the country pay for them directly out of their own pockets. In this case, it is reasonable to purchase insurance that covers most of the costs of the services of a dentist, ophthalmologist, etc. Such insurance is often included in a compensation package that is offered along with salary.

When moving from one province to another, residents of Canada can still count on free medical care.

How do I get private insurance?

The largest private insurance company in Canada is Blue Cross. Their insurance plans include dental costs, medications, eyeglasses and lenses, and financial support for severe illness and temporary disability. Even with the Blue Cross insurance policy, you can safely travel around the country and not be afraid to go bankrupt if you end up in a hospital in another region. As with government insurance, Blue Cross coverage covers a specific range of services in each province. Find them out on the official website.

Sun Life Financial, another major Canadian company, issues insurance policies that cover the cost of crutches, prostheses and wheelchairs, medications for chronic diseases and medical services that have to be used overseas.

The services of private insurance companies in Canada are quite diverse – you can take out insurance for yourself and for a group of people, you can buy a “package of services”, but you can only cover, for example, dental treatment.