Portuguese Mental Health and Addiction Services

What to Expect

You will be contacted with information about your first appointment.

What to Bring

Please bring the following to your appointment. Not all of these items may be needed for your appointment. Our clinic or your referring doctor will let you know what you must bring.

• Your referring doctor may have given you a CD or DVD of previous imaging results (like x-rays, CT scans or MRIs). If so, it is very important to bring this CD or DVD with you.
• List of all medications you are taking, including prescriptions, over-the-counter, vitamins or mineral supplements and herbal remedies.
• Medications that you need to take during the day. Please also bring any medical equipment you use.
• Notes about any changes in your condition since your last visit.
• A trusted friend or family member who can give you emotional support and help you.
• A List of doctors and hospitals you've seen in the past who may have information about your treatment.
• A list of questions to help you remember everything you want to ask

When You Arrive

Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.

When you arrive, you will sign in with the receptionist. You will need your health card (OHIP card) to sign-in. If you do not have an OHIP card, please bring another form of government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

You may be given a Measuring Health Equity Questionnaire to fill out. This form contains questions about your background. We collect this information to find out who we serve and what unique needs you may have. The form is voluntary and you can choose 'prefer not to answer' to any or all questions. However, the information you choose to give us will help us improve the quality of care for you and others.

How Long Will Your Appointment Be?

First appointments take longer than follow-up appointments. Your first appointment can take 2 hours or more. Follow-up appointments usually take 15 to 30 minutes. We do everything we can to stay on time but sometimes unforeseen circumstances may delay your appointment.

Before You Leave

After every appointment, a member of your health care team will tell you about your next visit. Be sure you understand what is going to happen next. For example, know the time and place of your next visit or if someone will call you with this information.

If you are unsure about what your next steps are, don't be afraid to ask a member of your team. We are here to help you.

About Phone Calls

We understand that reaching us by phone can sometimes be difficult. Often our phone lines are busy or are turned over to the message centre so our staff can prepare for clinic visits or help other patients. We make every effort to return your call within 24 hours. Our staff will try to reach you 2 times. If we are not able to reach you directly you may need to call us again.