Your options for finding primary care in Ontario
These are the main tools and waitlists available right now. We've included honest notes on what each one delivers.
Finding a family doctor in Ontario can be difficult, but there are more options than most people realize. The most effective approach: search for accepting clinics directly using DocMaps or iamsick.ca, register with Health Care Connect so you're in the provincial queue, and check your local Ontario Health Team's waitlist. Doing all three at once gives you the best chance of finding care sooner.
Tools to find doctors or NPs accepting new patients
These tools let you search by location for family doctors and nurse practitioners currently taking new patients. Listings reflect what providers have self-reported and may not always be current — use them to identify options, then confirm directly with the clinic.
Get on the provincial waitlist
Health Care Connect is Ontario's free matching program. Registering doesn't prevent you from doing anything else — it runs in the background while you explore other options.
Your local Ontario Health Team waitlist
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are instrumental in leading local efforts to connect people in their region to primary care. Find the one that covers where you live.
⚠️ OHT waitlist links and processes change frequently. If a link is broken, search the OHT name directly or call them. Not all OHTs have a public intake process — for those, Health Care Connect remains your best route.
How to find a family doctor in Ontario
How do I find a family doctor in Ontario?
The fastest way to find a family doctor in Ontario is to search for clinics accepting patients using tools like DocMaps.ca or iamsick.ca, and reaching out to them directly. You can register with Health Care Connect at the same time — the two aren't mutually exclusive. Also check your local Ontario Health Team's waitlist, which can sometimes move faster than the provincial program and provide a more tailored or nuanced match.
Is Health Care Connect worth registering with?
Yes — even if you're actively searching on your own. The provincial waitlist is actively being worked through, and the government has committed to improving access. Registering costs nothing and keeps you in the queue while you explore other options. The government's $2.1 billion Primary Care Action Plan, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, targets the HCC waitlist specifically — with a commitment to clear it by spring 2026.
How long does it take to get a family doctor in Ontario?
It varies a lot by region. In parts of the GTA, waits have historically been long — but the list is actively being worked through in 2026, and plenty of capacity is opening up. Searching directly through DocMaps or iamsick.ca and contacting clinics yourself will be faster than waiting for a match, which can still take a few weeks.
Can a walk-in clinic replace a family doctor?
For many day-to-day needs, yes — walk-ins can prescribe medications, order bloodwork, provide referrals to specialists, and write requisitions for imaging. Because your care isn't always in one place, they won't have your full health record. They're a good bridge and vital safety net for the 2 million people without a family doctor, not a permanent substitute.
For a full breakdown of how to manage your health without a family doctor, see our Unattached Patient Guide.
The Unattached Patient Guide covers screening, mental health, sexual health, and community resources available to you without a family doctor.