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Resources for Finding a New Doctor

It can be hard to find a new family doctor, especially if there’s a shortage of physicians in your area. Here are a few things you can try:

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Health Care Connect

This Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) program matches people who don’t have a regular family health care provider with physicians and nurse practitioners in their community who are accepting new patients. To register for the Health Care Connect program, call 1-800-445-1822, or visit the MOHLTC website for more information.

Health811

This Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides a free, secure and confidential service available 24/7 to help people find health services or information, or get health advice from a registered nurse. Call 811 for health advice or information. Alternatively, use the online search tool to find health services or start a live chat with an advisor on the Health811 website.

Your local hospital

Hospitals often know which of their physicians are accepting new patients, and may be able to provide a few contacts.

Community Health Centres

If you have a local community health centre, it may be taking new patients. These centres provide primary health care and prevention programs through physicians and a variety of other health professionals. Keep in mind that most only provide services to people who live within their community. A list of community health centres in Ontario is available on the MOHLTC website.

Local newspapers

Some physicians, including those who are new to an area or who are beginning to establish a practice, will advertise that they are accepting new patients in local publications. 

Physician Register

CPSO's Physician Register does not list what physicians are accepting new patients. However, you can use this registry to find the contact information for physicians across Ontario.

  1. Go to the Physician Register.
  2. Choose “Advanced Search” to find a doctor near you (by city/town or postal code).
  3. Click on “Additional Search Options” to narrow your search (to family doctors and/or language spoken).
  4. Contact the doctor and ask if they are accepting new patients.