Dr Frans van der Westhuizen and Dr Vanessa Bedard

Dr Frans is amazing!! I can tell that he truly cares about my children. My daughter has a disorder that requires her to be followed by specialist team, and Dr Frans is so good at making sure he is in contact with them regarding her. I have also had doctors at KGH say they don’t know anything about my daughter’s disorder (not something a parent wants to hear), but Dr Frans is so knowledgeable about her and her disorder it gives me a lot of peace. I feel very lucky to have Dr Frans as my children's pediatrician.

My son has had Dr. Frans for close to two years now. He is neurodiverse and takes medication. We have regular scheduled appointments to talk about the effectiveness of the medication. The school, as well as my self have noticed a change in my child and we have agreed a change in medication needs to happen as what he has been taking is not working anymore. Two days prior to my sons appointment I let Dr. Frans reception know my sons medication was not working and serious problems were happening. Similar problems that were happening two years prior when a different medication he was on was not working as well. My son has a history of aggression due to medication and diagnosis. I had my appointment on the phone even though my son should have been seen in person. I told Dr. Frans my sons struggles and that his medication needs to change. My son is struggling at school, and at home. Dr. Frans did not listen to my concerns and told me I needed to continue his medication that was not working for another month. He offered resources I have used in the past that were not helpful. He said if I didn’t go to resources I have previously tried he would write down that I refused help. I was discriminated against for being a single parent household. I explained I was single income was not heard about my finances instead discriminated against. Dr Frans asked no questions about my sons struggles, or medications he just told me to use resources I have tried in the past. He told me I had to take my son to KGH to have his medication discussed even though he has been the prescribing physician for nearly two years. I left my job as a single income parent losing out on pay for the day, drove in dangerous road conditions, took my son out of school, and went to KGH as Dr. Frans made me. I waited for hours with my son in emergency to see a doctor that had no idea I was coming. We never ended up seeing anyone that day and my child is still on medication that is not working all while Dr. Frans has been the prescribing/monitoring physician for nearly two years. Dr Frans knows my sons history and pushed off what was happening with my son when he has been the prescribing doctor. My son has gained weight and has changed to generic brand medication from name brand. Questions should have been asked by Dr Frans not discrimination, and neglecting my sons needs. My child and I should have an apology. My son is upset he had to leave school to sit at the hospital for hours when his paediatrician should have listened to concerns and talked about his medication. I am upset about how the appointment went yesterday, my child has anxiety he is upset, and we had a very poor interaction. My son is struggling on the medication he is on and is now even more afraid of doctors.