Some patients have been experiencing issues with laboratory appointment bookings relating to our online booking app, reaching our staff by phone to book an appointment, and delays in getting an appointment at some locations. This is not the level of service that we strive to provide our patients, so please accept our apology for any frustration this may have caused.
Beginning today, March 1st, SBGHC will be opening up a dedicated phone line for assistance with appointment bookings, and will be increasing capacity at our Durham and Kincardine sites to clear a backlog of appointments. The booking window in the app will also be expanded to six months in advance (requisitions are only valid for 6 months, a regulatory requirement from the Ministry of Health).
Two factors have contributed to these issues.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, outpatient laboratory services were temporarily closed at our Chesley and Durham sites and, as part of the phased reintroduction of this service and to maintain proper physical distancing and our patient’s and staff’s safety, an appointment system was introduced. We appreciate your patience and understanding, and are committed to resolving these challenges.
If you are able to do so, please continue to use the online booking app for your laboratory appointments (*note – the app is not supported using the Internet Explorer browser. Recent versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari will all work. If you do not have the option of using a different browser, please feel free to call us to book your appointment).
To book an appointment online, please visit labreq (sbghc.on.ca).
To book an appointment over the phone, please call (226) 257-1600 (starting Monday, March 1).
If you continue to experience issues, please contact our Patient Relations Office for assistance (519-370-2400 ext. 2281, patientrelations@sbghc.on.ca).
