Anybody leaving a negative review about him seeming to not care as he approached retirement must not understand decades of being a doctor. I’m sure the overall burn out and fatigue + regularly catching colds must compound over time. He has earned the right to retire after a long and solid career/practice.

His cut to the point, firm and maybe what seems mean demeanour is just his personality. He’s always been cut and dry and if you knew him as your doctor eventually you did break through and could feel relaxed/joke/small talk. Just don’t spend too much time talking, his and all doctors time does equal money.
They don’t make as much money as you might think.

You come to appreciate a direct and no BS doctor and he will be greatly missed by dozens and dozens of people.

Enjoy the ski slopes, you earned it!

Submitted June 7, 2022

The BEST!!!! Always on time and highly knowledgeable!

Submitted May 10, 2022

Although I almost cried when I read that Dr. Spencer was retiring, the last visit that I had in November allowed me to quickly change my mind.

Although he was knowledgeable, he 'bedside manner' for lack of a better word, was totally non-existent. I do not mean that I cannot count this demeanor because it happened so often. Rather, because it was totally non-existent.

My late Husband was made to go in to see him for years on a monthly basis. I was happy with this, since I felt that he was properly monitoring his sugar levels, as he was diabetic. But shortly after he passed on from cancer, it seemed as though he needed someone to take over so that he could regularly bill OHIP for an additional service, since he expected me to do so for the last 3+ years. And it was only to give me another prescription for meds that I have been on for more years than.i can count.

Why did I not question him on this??? Try speaking to someone who is so straight-faced that you know he will easily drop you and you will find out. People often said, 'you shouldn't feel scared to question your doctor'! They are correct, but when it is so difficult to get a doctor, it was nerve racking. And no doubt, he knew it. Therefore, he continued to act like a bull.

As to his knowledge, it was quite good. Forget the fact in which my Husband was suddenly diagnosed with 4th stage cancer. And even with all the monthly visits and his reporting that he had frequent heartburn, Spencer never requested any tests to further check this out. Rather, like myself, he was quick to take out his prescription pad.

As mentioned, I was shocked and depressed to hear that he was retiring to take care of his parents. But during his last appointment I was totally shocked when he asked if I was being seen by someone for my recent accident. His reaction was to push himself from his desk and with his hands in the air he said, "I don't know what you expect from me!!!" I guess that when he no longer worried about hitting his monthly quota, due to his retirement, what did he care. One way or the other, it was during that appointment that he showed his true colours. They were already showing, I just thought that his grumpiness was his norm.

All I can say now is that 'I feel sorry for his poor parents!' I just hope that he shows them more respect than he did for me during my last appointment.

Happy sails Spencer!

Submitted Jan. 19, 2020

It is too bad that the rating categories do not reflect a doctor's demeanor with their patients.

Although knowledgeable, Dr. Spencer is bullish and aggressive in his manner, stubborn in terms of his motto, 'it's my way or the highway!' From the moment he called you in, until the moment that you left his office, I did not see him smile. Anytime he did, it was easy to see that it was as false as can be; the smirk that he tried to pass off as a 'smile' can and went before you could take a breath.

As far as his practice, he would frivolously come in on a monthly basis, like many of the other patients that I spoke with. But rather these visits being put to good use, more than 95% of the time, it was solely to ask how I was doing since the 'previous' visit and to enquire if I needed a renewal on my meds.

That in itself was a laugh... Although I have been on the same meds for years, he would only give you a 1 month prescription, rather than 6 months or more. In doing so, you would have to make another appointment, just to get another prescription order. This happened to my Husband in the same manner.

So when you are wondering where your OHIP dollars are going, you can thank jerks like this one; in carrying out these steps, he gets to regularly bill OHIP for another frivolous appointment. And if ever questioned by OHIP, he could back it up by telling them that he was monitoring his patient in terms of the drugs that they were taking.

And by continually booking these unnecessary appointments, it means that those individuals who truly need to see someone have to wait that much longer. I overheard his secretary often tell people who called that he was no longer accepting new patients. Why not? When you arrange yourself in such as way as the example above, how could you go on to accept others.

You could say, 'why did you not question your doctor and ask him why he would not prescribe your meds differently?' The answer is simple... With his grumpy, aggressive behaviour, I often felt nervous in that he would get upset and drop me.

What is the big deal with that??? Anyone looking for a doctor knows that they are few and far from accepting new patients.

Luckily, his wonderful secretary made it a pleasure to walk in his office.

It is true that he has been in practice for 30+ years. But it can be said that he definitely did not get to this point through his demeanor.

Luckily, he finished his practice at the end of 2020. Therefore, it will be nice to go in and meet his replacement who I am sure will know how to smile. Something Spencer did not know how to do. Come to think of it, he probably worried that doing so would break his face!

Adios

Submitted Jan. 17, 2020

Sad to hear that he has retired. My doctor for 15+ years. My kids too!

Submitted Jan. 14, 2020

I have had doctor Spencer for a physician for more than 30 Years and I have been toally satisfied with his service. he is not a pill pusher by any means which is what I like however, if you have a problem and he is unsure iof the issue he will conduct the necessary test to determine what the problem is and how to resolve the issue. I have never had an issue with any of his decisions.

Submitted July 8, 2019

No complaints. Not a pill pusher,which I like. Just hope I pass before he retires.

Submitted Feb. 16, 2019

He’s been my families doctor for year. I think he’s at the age he no longer gives the care he used to. Very dissatisfied. Hes prescribed prescription pain killers withou mentioning risks & threatens to drop you if you complain about side effects.

Submitted Dec. 25, 2018

I have been a patient if Dr Spencer’s for over 30 years.
He is not a pill pusher which we really like about him. He listens and doesn’t hesitate to delve further into your symptoms.
Very good kind man.

Submitted Sept. 9, 2018

Dr. Spencer has been my doctor for many years which I am very grateful for as well as my 35 year old son who thinks the world of him. Because I have many medical conditions and need to take various medications I’m sure I must be a challenge. He very thoughtfully prescribes and has changed medications where he thought it would benefit me. He is happy to handle any issues I have but if he feels I should see a specialist he doesn’t hesitate to refer me to someone excellent every time. He works very hard and cares very much about his patients. His secretary is very efficient and kind.

Submitted May 25, 2018