For families
This page explains what happens after your child's doctor or nurse practitioner sends a referral. The clinic cannot accept referrals directly from families; if you have not been referred yet, please speak to your primary care provider.
How to get a referral, with a note to take to your child's doctor
What to expect
- Your provider refers your childYour family doctor, nurse practitioner or paediatrician sends the referral. The clinic acknowledges it with them.
- The physician reviews the referralEvery referral is checked for completeness and reviewed by the physician. Some children need to be seen by a different service; if so, your provider is told where to refer instead.
- You receive an intake linkIf the referral is accepted, you receive an email with a secure link to an intake questionnaire. It asks about bowel and bladder history, fluids and diet, toileting routine, school, family history, treatments tried, and your goals. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The link expires after 14 days, and reminders are sent on day 3 and day 7.
- You review the policies and consentsBefore the questionnaire, you read a short clinic introduction, the privacy notice, the virtual care consent and the missed-appointment policy ($150 for a missed new consultation or a cancellation with less than 24 hours notice).
- BookingThe aim is to confirm a booking within 14 days of the referral. The clinic also confirms that your child's health card is valid before the appointment; you may receive a call if it needs updating.
- The video visitThe first visit is by video and usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. You need a phone, tablet or computer with a camera, a quiet private space, and your child present. Have a list of medications and any diaries or results ready.
- After the visitYou receive a written plan with handouts, and any prescriptions or requisitions. A consultation note goes to the referring provider. Follow-up visits are booked by video unless the physician decides an in-person visit is needed, which is arranged at a partner clinic in the GTA.
What a virtual visit is
- A scheduled video appointment with the physician using a secure video platform. You receive a link by email before the visit.
- Your child should be present. The physician asks about symptoms, reviews any diaries or results, and may ask to see the child's tummy or watch them walk. The physician cannot examine the child by hand.
- A written plan and handouts are sent afterwards, and a consultation note goes to the referring provider.
Common questions
Is there a cost?
Visits are covered by OHIP for children with a valid Ontario health card. Some services are not covered by OHIP, such as letters for school or camp, and a fee applies to a missed new consultation or a late cancellation ($150). The clinic policies page explains this in full.
Can I refer my own child?
No. A referral from a physician or nurse practitioner is required, both for OHIP coverage of a virtual specialist visit and so the clinic has your child's history.
Does my child need to come in person?
Most children are assessed and treated by video. If the physician decides an examination is needed, an in-person visit is arranged at a designated partner clinic in the Greater Toronto Area.
What if my child is unwell now?
This clinic is not an emergency service, and email is not monitored continuously. If your child is unwell, contact your doctor, go to an emergency department, or call 911.
How do I contact the clinic?
By email at referrals@bbdclinic.ca. Messages are answered within 3 business days. Please do not send health details by ordinary email; the clinic will tell you how to send secure messages once your child is a patient.
What happens to the information I enter?
It is stored encrypted on servers in Canada and used only for your child's care, billing and the clinic's records. The privacy notice explains what is collected, who can see it, where it is stored and for how long.
How are referrals reviewed?
The physician reads every referral and decides whether it can be accepted, using the clinic's written referral criteria. Software checks that the referral is complete and flags answers that may need urgent care, but it makes no decisions. The clinic does not use artificial intelligence to review referrals.
What languages are available?
Visits are offered in English. Tell the clinic at intake if you need an interpreter.
Next steps
Referring a child?
The clinic starts accepting referrals in January 2027. The criteria are published now.
A parent or guardian?
Families cannot refer themselves. Your child's doctor or nurse practitioner decides whether a referral to the clinic is right.