Dr Howard Schneider
Sheppard Clinic North
70 East Beaver Creek Road, Unit 30
Richmond Hill, ON  L4B 3B2

tel: 416-546-3946
fax: 289-870-2625
email: sheppard.clinic.north@gmail.com

Note:

-If you are an existing patient: emails and phone calls will be returned Tuesday and Friday afternoons (except for dates below). 24/7/365 response is no longer possible unfortunately.

-If for some reason your email or phone call does not appear to be returned, please follow the steps we have discussed.

-*I cannot return medically-related phone calls or emails if there is no active medical chart  -- please speak to your family physician to contact me if there is something medically related.

-*If you were a former patient and email me about some question, please note that I cannot even acknowledge that you were a patient of mine, due to privacy issues of such a message.

-If you were a former patient please note that I cannot refill prescriptions or fill in even simple notes since I must by regulation have an active chart to do this.

-If there is an emergency please speak to your family physician or go to your local emergency department. Do not leave a message or email for emergency situations.

-It is not possible to return messages on or between these dates: [None]

EMERGENCIES

-Please follow the plan to contact me we have discussed. 

URGENT HOME VISITS

-Please note that 'mask-free' is not possible at this time, regardless of medical exemptions for patients, caregivers, lodgers or home staff. Effective masks are required. Face shields are not sufficient. If this is not possible (for example due to medical exemptions) we can discuss alternative routes to help.

MARCH 14, 2020

COVID OFFICE CLOSURE (NON-EMERGENCIES)

In support of the government's efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, all appointments will continue via ordinary telephone or approved government telemedicine system, where possible, until Feb 1, 2021.

Continuity of Care:

Please see 'Circle of Care' for additional information.
All patients have my email and phone number. Unless it is noted below that I will be unavailable I will return emails (and phone calls, although there is a delay for phone calls) 24x7x365, as best as possible.
If you are unable to contact me, your referring doctor (usually your family doctor) should have a summary report from me about your diagnosis and treatment, and can usually refill prescriptions.
If you are unable to contact me or your family doctor,  and it is urgent, then you should go to your local hospital emergency department -- they all have crisis teams, and will see you.

-After February 1, 2021: You must contact your family physician or if not possible your local hospital emergency department.
 

Practice:

Family Medicine Practicing in Psychotherapy 

My practice is restricted to psychotherapy and psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders. 

Appointments: 

A referral from your family doctor is required and must be faxed to the number above. I am only able to take a few new patients each month -- your family doctor must write or speak with me as to what is desired in  assessment and treatment, and if other resources in the community would make more sense for you. Note: At this time, I am unable to take any new patients.

I am unable to return phone calls or emails if there is no referral and no medical chart exists. After a referral is received if I am unable to take new patients within 3 months, then a letter will quickly be sent back to the referring doctor, who can refer you to other physicians.  Otherwise, once a referral is received, I will make every effort to contact you as soon as possible. Again, I apologize ahead of time, but professionally I cannot engage in patient discussion (even for seemingly small questions of advice) without a referral. If it is an inquiry about services I offer, or if there is an availability in my practice, your family doctor's office is welcome to call me before any referral is sent.  Note: At this time, I am unable to take any new patients.