Not having a family doctor can feel frustrating and sometimes a little scary, especially if you’re dealing with ongoing health concerns.

You’re not alone. As of 2024, an estimated 2 million Ontarians, about 1 in 8 people, do not have a primary care provider, according to the Auditor General of Ontario.

Why primary care matters

Primary care through a family doctor or nurse practitioner is your main entry point into the health system.

It helps you:

• catch health issues early
• manage chronic conditions
• access specialists when needed
• avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency department

Without it, navigating care becomes much harder.

One option: Health Care Connect

Ontario created Health Care Connect to help people find a family doctor or nurse practitioner.

If you don’t have a provider, this is one place to start.

To register, you must:

• Have a valid Ontario health card
• Have an up-to-date mailing address linked to your card

How to sign up:

• Call: 1-800-445-1822
• Online: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-family-doctor-or-nurse-practitioner

You’ll be asked a few questions about your health needs and placed on a waitlist to be matched with a provider.

What to expect

Demand for primary care still exceeds supply in many parts of Ontario.

At the start of 2025:

• More than 100,000 people had been waiting over a year
• Thousands of those had complex health needs

There has been progress. The Ministry of Health reports that as of late 2025, about 60% of the earlier waitlist had been cleared, and new investments aim to connect more people to care in communities like Belleville, Brighton, and Prince Edward County.

Still, wait times can vary depending on where you live and your health needs.

For some, the process can take time—but it does lead to results.

“I was put on the waitlist through Health Care Connect in 2023 and received updates along the way,” says Prince Edward County resident Terry Sprague. “In early 2025, I was matched with a new doctor in Wellington. It took time, but the process worked and I was very glad to finally get that call.”

What this means for you

• Registering with Health Care Connect is a good first step—but it may take time
• Be proactive: keep your contact information up to date and respond quickly if contacted
• If your health needs are urgent, don’t wait—seek care through walk-in clinics or urgent care

Need more help?

If you have questions about accessing care in your area, you can also contact Ontario Health atHome:

• Call: 310-2222
• Visit: ontariohealthathome.ca

While you wait

While you’re waiting to be matched with a primary care provider, there are still ways to access care.

If you live in Hastings or Prince Edward County and don’t have a family doctor or nurse practitioner, finding the right place for care can be challenging, especially when your concern isn’t an emergency.

• Not sure where to go? Visit the Quinte Health “Where to Go” page to find the most appropriate care option based on your symptoms.
• Need advice right now? Call 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or visit ontario.ca/health811 to connect with a registered nurse 24/7 for free, confidential health advice.
• 211 Ontario is a helpline that easily connects people to the social services, programs and community supports they need.
• Southeasthealthline.ca is managed by Ontario Health at Home and lists
• Community Paramedicine is about helping community members who wish to remain at home safely, and ensure they receive the care they need. The program works by having a patient referred to the paramedic services through a caregiver, hospital, physician, or with self signup through their website.
• In addition to filling drug prescriptions, with an expanded scope of services, Pharmacists can now prescribe certain medications to treat many common ailments. Many pharmacies offer one-on-one counselling to help you quit smoking or manage diabetes. Many also administer vaccines including the flu shot, from specially trained pharmacists to people 2 years of age and older.
• The Belleville Quinte West Community Health Centre (BQWCHC) regular screening/testing for common health issues can help you prevent disease or catch it early. BQWCHC’s trained Prevention Outreach Worker is available to talk to you about your preventive care.

As Ontario continues to improve access to primary care, there are many great services available to support you while you wait to be connected.