It may take several days to respond to messages (voice, text, email, fax). We are not a crisis service.
If we're away for more than a few days (e.g., holidays) we'll update our home page and change our phone greeting.
Pharmacies can renew most meds and/or give emergency supplies. But plan ahead!
Contact your family doctor, a UPCC or walk-in clinic, or HealthLink BC (8-1-1).
Due to very severe allergies, please refrain from wearing fragrances or other scented products in our office.
Unfortunately, this also means we are unable to accommodate service animals, emotional support animals, pets, etc.
MHSU Service Link (888-885-8824) [Island Health will help you find and connect to the right mental health services]
Free and Affordable Counselling [Victoria Disability Resource Centre]
PharmaCare for BC Residents [BC Government]
innoviCares and RxHelp [savings on brand-name medications]
Patient Resources [College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC]
MediMap and Skip the Waiting Room [walk-in clinics]
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, or will be late, contact us as soon as possible. As appointments are in high demand, your time can be given to someone else in urgent need. If you are late, your appointment may be shortened or rescheduled.
Fees: There is a $50 fee for missing an appointment, cancelling or rescheduling with < 48 hours notice, or being late enough that your appointment must be rescheduled. Payment is required prior to your next appointment.
Discharge: If you miss two appointments without 48 hours notice, or are late repeatedly, you may be asked to return to your referring physician for further care.
Some absences are sudden and unavoidable; we understand. Forgetting, being asked to pick up a shift at work, or poor planning do not count. If you become ill prior to an in-office appointment, check about attending via telehealth.
Office Appointments: Appointments are available in-office and via telehealth. You must wear a mask while in our office.
Be Prepared: Check if you need medication refills before your visit. If you've been asked to do labs or other "homework" and you haven't, or if the visit is to see your response to a medication you haven't yet started, contact us several days in advance so we can decide if your appointment should be deferred.
Privacy: Telehealth appointments can be done from virtually anywhere. That doesn't mean they should be. Ensure you can speak freely and others aren't observing you. If you can't devote your full attention to your appointment, you're wasting your time and ours.
Punctuality: We try to run on time, but falling behind sometimes is unavoidable. Plan accordingly so you don't need to run out right at the scheduled end time (e.g., parking, another appointment). Yes, we have the same double standard as any other in-demand specialist physician's office.
Specialist physicians, including psychiatrists, work in conjunction with primary care providers (family doctors or nurse practitioners). Given the high demand, they can't provide all-inclusive, standalone, or indefinite care.
While under Dr. Lysak's care, it is your responsibility to remain connected with primary care. They will be sent updates on your care (kept as part of your medical record) and be asked to help with physical health problems that arise during your treatment. They can provide coverage during times when Dr. Lysak is away from the office, and provide followup care when you no longer require the services of a psychiatrist.
Medical Home: If you don't have a primary care provider, pick a single walk-in clinic, telehealth service, etc., to regularly attend. That clinic is required to maintain your medical record and provide ongoing medical care. They become your medical home.
(including at other walk-in clinics or online services), ask them to send a note no your visit to your medical home.The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC sets out what you can expect from these clinics. Keep us informed when you change primary care providers.
Post-Discharge: When you no longer require ongoing followup from a psychiatrist, Dr. Lysak will send a discharge report summarizing your course of illness, current treatment, and her recommendations for follow-up to your designated primary care provider. You are then expected to follow-up with them for ongoing care.
If you do not give us the name of a primary care provider to send this information to, you may have difficulty seeking care in future. Without records that document your illness and treatment, some providers may not be comfortable monitoring your condition, adjusting your treatment, or renewing certain medications. While records can be provided after the fact (with your consent), this may not happen in a timely manner.
While we will make reasonable efforts to facilitate coordination and continuity of care, Dr. Lysak cannot continue to follow patients who no longer require care from a psychiatrist just because they do not have a primary provider.
BBC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) pays for most of Dr. Lysak's services, as it does with other doctors. MSP does not cover everything. Like most clinics, we charge you for forms, etc. If fees will cause financial problems, please discuss this with us in advance.
Fees for forms and letters vary with their length and complexity. We'll let you know the fee before we complete the form. Fees must be paid prior to release of forms. A 50% rush fee applies if required in < 15 working days.
We accept payments by cash/debit (in-person), Visa/Mastercard (in-person, by phone, or online), or Interac transfer to office@lysak.org.