How to Find a Family Doctor in Ontario: Using the Official Registry
In Ontario, residents looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner accepting new patients can register with Health Care Connect, a government program that helps match patients with primary care providers in their community.
What is Health Care Connect?
Health Care Connect is a free service operated by the Ontario Ministry of Health. After registering, a Care Connector will search for a primary care clinician in your community who is accepting new patients. This could be a:
- Family doctor
- Nurse practitioner
- Primary care team
You can register yourself and your whole family. The service is available in English and French.
How to Register
There are two ways to register:
- Online: Visit the Health Care Connect page on the Ontario website and follow the instructions.
- By phone: Call 811 (TTY: 711), available 24/7. Note: If you have used Health Care Connect before, you can only re-register by calling 811.
What You Need to Register
When registering, you must provide:
- Your contact information
- A valid Ontario health card number (found on the front of your health card)
- Basic health information, such as pregnancy, children under 2, chronic conditions, disability, self-assessed mental health status.
How much health information you provide is up to you, but providing more helps the Care Connector match you better.
Important:
- The mailing address must match the one on your health card.
- If your health card expires during the referral process, you may experience delays.
After You Register
You will receive a confirmation letter by mail. You may be contacted to verify your information, and you can share additional preferences at that time.
Note: Joining Health Care Connect does not guarantee immediate matching. Your preferences may affect wait time.
When You Are Matched
You will receive a referral letter with the name of the clinician or team. They will contact you to schedule an initial appointment. After the appointment, you and the clinician decide whether to continue. If not, you can re-register by calling 811.
Update or Withdraw
Keep your information up to date online to speed up matching. You can withdraw online or by phone (811) at any time.
If You Get Sick While Waiting
Use Health811 (call 811) for free health advice or to find health services.
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