At the top of 2020 I found a lump in my breast. With no family doctor I managed to book a mammogram through my history with our provincial breast screening program. It was done in hospital . Inconclusive findings, ultrasound recommended. I have close family history with breast cancer, my mom died of it, her sister battled it. Despite the fact the “cyst” was easily felt by a hand examination, the technician admitted to having difficulty pinpointing it with the wand. Report came, 8 weeks into the Covid pandemic, “Inconclusive findings, likely cyst”. Hospitals shuttered their doors in an effort to reduce number of cases of the virus. I waited a total of 8 hrs - 6 the day prior to being seen by Dr. Barkwell and then 2 more hours the next day waiting again early in hospital emergency Dept. Dr. Barkwell felt the lump - it was visible through my shirt so no issue locating it now - and said “cyst”. I began doing up my bra, one with a tricky front closure, and I asked him “are you certain? I have two daughters depending on your findings … ?” Still fumbling with clasp, I looked up and realized he was staring, not blinking, at my apparel issue and immediately thought “Dear God, what’s he staring at???” Some more now somewhat urgent attempts, he still staring, I finally got the bra clasped. Like a light switch, it broke his trance. “It’s a cyst, some women just have cystic breasts”, and with that he headed for the door. “But given my family history can we biopsy?” His response was astonishingly condescending, “It’s a cyst … but then you already knew that from the ultrasound,” and he walked out the door. I found my own way out. Five months later, over a long May weekend, I suffered excruciating pain in the armpit beside the breast and even without being told by a doctor I knew I was out of the cyst business. The first moment a clinic was open I was seen by a physician who was terribly concerned about my breast, referred me to a surgeon - who biopsied the lump on the spot - carcinoma the lab’s findings. Biggest carcinoma, in fact, the surgeon had removed in his career (and all glands in armpit - also found with tumours). Dr. Barkwell truly worked well beyond his expiry date as a physician and should never have been allowed to see patients. This province has enough obvious issues with our healthcare system, without adding this individual in the path of any patient.

Submitted Feb. 18, 2023

I am grateful for all the incredible medical professionals who have provided care to my family. That being said this man is an arrogant , condescending doctor. One of my toddler sons spiked a fever of 40 degrees. My husband was away and I took my three special needs children to the ER . We had a five hour wait to see Dr Barkwell and the kids did amazing. When he loudly and rudely entered the room my six year old (not the patient) autistic daughter began to cry and refused to move away from me when he told her to. He grabbed her arm and was cross and over stepped. I burst into tears and told him she had autism . He backed off slightly but did not care about his mis step . This happened more than 18 months ago and she is so scared of the doctors office now. He ended the visit refusing to check my sons ears after this
Fever lasted 8 days . We took him to emergency in Kentville the next day where my som was treated for double ear infection.

Submitted Dec. 17, 2022

I had bleeding at 15 weeks pregnant and Dr Barkwell told me it was "most likely" a miscarried and that he couldn't do an ultrasound because I was to early in.

We went to kentville ER where they took blood work and did an ultrasound to reassure me that the baby was healthy and growing normally.

Submitted June 20, 2022

This dummy thought a bag of potassium was enough for my mom who had lost the ability to use her legs ,seeing things and couldn't understand what anyone was saying to her that was on top of the heart failure. He also worked with her for over 20 years too. He was gonna send her home to die. That's where I lost it chased him out and waited for a new doctor which sent her to kentville right away by ambulance thanks to Dr Yole for saving her life and me not going to jail.

Submitted Jan. 7, 2022

I think a doctor who keeps running to google the symptoms he sees in emergency needs to retire...remined me of a crazy professor on a children's television show. Appears to be very unsure of himself.

Submitted Dec. 17, 2021

The most arrogant, ignorant, pompous a$$ of a doctor. I was seen in emergency for severe reaction from a medication. This man chastised me for having to come to the emergency department and not just call my family doctor; whom is pregnant, only working 2 days a week at her clinic, and could not see me until sept 21. It was later discovered that i had severe bronchitis and the spasams were directly related to a steroid inhaler. If you visit emergency on a day he is working you would be better to walk back out and go to another hospital because this doctor is clueless. I have filed a complaint with the college of physicians and surgeons as i see many others have as well. Obviously there is an issue if numerous people have filed complaints.

Submitted Aug. 14, 2021

I saw this doctor in emerg this past Friday. He came into the room, did not even ask if it was me, did not introduce himself, did not ask me what happened (I fell down stairs), did not do any xrays, only "assessed" one issue, no real physical exam. It was terrible. Honestly I was with him about 5 minutes.....

Submitted July 12, 2021

I had the most unpleasant experience with this dr today. He didn’t even ask why I was at the ER. Said he reviewed my file from the past year and decided to chastise me for coming to “an acute care facility”. Considering my illness is acute it was where I needed to be.

He proceeded to assume why I was there, because again, he didn’t ask. He assumed because I am a woman that it was “anxiety” and suggested I call my family doctor.

At no point did I mention anxiety. He didn’t have the decency to even ask. Had zero empathy and wrote me off from the start.

My severe neurological pain, debilitating joint pain, migraine and near inability to walk due to the pain was of no consequence to him.

I had to ask for blood work and never did see him again. I was expected to just leave.

Complaint has been officially filed.

I cannot wrap my mind around the idea of going into medicine to help those in need. But forget the onlooker empathy and bedside manner.

I am a well spoken, kind and understanding person. What he did was unacceptable. Might as well suffer alone in agony.

I’m certain he would only help if you showed up near death.

Submitted June 11, 2021

Seen this doctor in emerg about a month ago, most ignorant poor excuse for a doctor that I have ever seen in my life, I personally wouldn't even want him tending to my animals. He was very RUDE! I went to emerg with complaints of ear pain and trust me I don't normally go to emerg for anything but I was quite concerned of it being an ear infection because it was days and it wasn't going away. When he went to look into my ears I stood up beside him, instead of him asking to step in closer he grabbed a hold of the shoulder of my sweater and pulled me. I am filing a complaint to the College of Physicians and Surgeons about him and I highly recommend other people to do the same that have had issues with him. Cause he should absolutely NOT be practicing anymore. When people go to see a doctor when they are not feeling well the last thing they want to deal with is someone like him.

Submitted May 28, 2021

Absolutely horrible bedside manner. Have had this doctor a few times in the last few years in ER. Everytime there is no physical exam. No medical questions. Usually answers with I dont know and gives little to no diagnosis or wrong diagnosis all together.

Submitted June 25, 2020