This doctor and the intake nurse were so cold and uncaring. I was scolded for not going to my family doctor even after I explained that I had just returned to Penticton after being evacuated from my home due to a house and wildfire. I was instructed to go to the walk in clinic by my own medical clinic because they were open on the Saturday I was able to visit. The treatment and attitude I received was just terrible and I was treated like a criminal . I had just been through a very frightening situation yet these people couldn’t care less and were downright mean! Disgraceful excuse for health care!

Submitted Sept. 5, 2023

broken finger open wound. No tetanus shot and didnt sterilize. Major infection happened days later.

Submitted Sept. 9, 2019

Worst doctor ever...I have been having chronic discomfort on my right side and had been waiting to get a ct through my family doctor...the discomfort changed to a burning sensation with pain rated 8/10...he said I was jumping the line to get a ct....pushed hard three times in the area causing me to cry from the pain...told me that there was a 98% chance that there would be nothing on the ct....needless to say I left the hospital still in pain with a prescription for morphine telling me that I was having a muscle spasm....he didn’t do an exam to come to any conclusions....he did tell me I didn’t have cancer....how could he know that with no exam....bad bad bedside manner...I wouldn’t have gone to emergency if I wasn’t in pain.....how is he still an emergency doctor after reading these reviews dating back this many years!

Submitted July 27, 2019

I have seen him myself in emerg a few years ago with terrible sinus infection. 2 prescriptions and I was well in a few days. He saw my disabled 8 year old who does not talk in Jan 2019 for a throat infection. Very prompt and gentle. She was well again in 2 days with correct prescription. Not sure why he is so badly rated!

Submitted March 24, 2019

Brought in child with sever abdominal pain and vomiting for 7 days. She wasn’t in pain while we were there so doctor said she is fine and to go to a pediatrician. I tried to show him the record I’ve kept of the last 7 days of her being sick and he wasn’t interested kept saying she’s fine, he didn’t even check her stomach! Worst doctor I have ever seen.

Submitted Nov. 2, 2018

Horrible, horrible visit with Dr Atkins when I was in severe pain. He did nothing I couldn’t have figured out by myself. If you get him in Penticton Emergency, turn around and drive to another hospital.
Is it busy in Emergency ...Yes, but this is a poor excuse for such shabby care. He should loose his license. No fit to practice. Want to give him -0

Submitted Aug. 6, 2018

Ask for a second opinion ! Brought in by ambulance , spent 1 min with him . Gave some tylonal , and basic antibiotics, told me it was a bladder infection . And sent home . I had a burst appendix and just about passed away. Lucky went for a second opinion after being misdiagnosed , had a "proper" examination and quickly diagnosed (actually touching my stomach) . 10 days in hospital to recover and another 3 week till feeing normal could have been prevented with proper time and procedures to diagnosis. He's a lawsuit waiting to happen .....

Submitted April 10, 2017

Drove 85 km to emergency at PRH with acute hernia pain. Spent all of 40 seconds with dr Atkins and was told it was nothing to worry about yet as long as I can push it back in place. When I asked if there is anything I could do, I was told to take Tylenol, iboprophen or other pills. Next time I'll go to the local vet, probably get a more professional opinion. Too bad there wasn't a 0 rating.

Submitted May 6, 2016

Worse Doctor ever seen. He did not do one thing to help severe back pain (10/10 for pain). I have never seen or had this poor treatment from any doctor.

Submitted April 24, 2016

Thank you to dr. James for your compassionate care in the ER. You let me cry and were very kind and knowledgable. I felt good coming away from there, feeling like someone was really listening to me and that I am being cared for, so thankful. ( I hate to rate the punctuality because even though it was a bit of a wait, the ER was swamped)

Submitted Feb. 4, 2015