At Rideau Community Health Services (RCHS), we work hard to provide timely access to care for all clients. When appointments are missed or clients arrive late, it can affect both the care they receive and the availability of appointments for others.

If You Need to Cancel an Appointment

If you cannot attend your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible. This allows us to offer the appointment time to another client who may be waiting for care.

An appointment is considered a “no show” when:

  • A client does not attend their appointment and has not cancelled it in advance; or
  • A client arrives more than 15 minutes after their scheduled appointment time.

Repeated Missed Appointments

We understand that unexpected situations can arise. Illness, personal circumstances, misunderstandings, transportation challenges, and other barriers can sometimes make it difficult to attend an appointment.

When appointments are missed repeatedly, RCHS may contact the client to better understand the circumstances and identify ways to support attendance. This may include discussing barriers and exploring possible solutions together.

Repeated missed appointments without explanation may result in a review of services and could lead to limited access to services or, in some cases, termination of services in accordance with RCHS policies.

Arriving Late

To help appointments run smoothly, clients are encouraged to arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled appointment time.

If you arrive late:

  • Your appointment may need to be shortened.
  • Your provider will determine whether there is enough time to proceed with the appointment.
  • In some cases, you may be asked to reschedule so that your care can be provided safely and without affecting other scheduled clients.

When making this decision, providers may consider factors such as the reason for the appointment, the amount of time remaining, and the circumstances that contributed to the delay.

We Are Here to Help

RCHS recognizes that some clients face challenges that can make attending appointments difficult. If you are experiencing barriers that affect your ability to attend appointments, please speak with your provider or a member of our team. We will work with you to identify possible supports and solutions whenever possible.