Use Health Care Connect to find a family doctor or nurse practitioner
Health Care Connect finds you a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team that is accepting new patients in your community.
Our plan
As part of our $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan, we are connecting every person in Ontario to a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team by 2029.
Having a family doctor, nurse practitioner or primary care team ensures you have a regular place to go for care, manage your ongoing health needs and keeps you healthier.
How it works
On your behalf, a Care Connector will search for a primary care provider who is accepting new patients in your community.
A primary care provider could be a:
- family doctor
- nurse practitioner
- primary care team
You can register yourself, someone else or your whole family.
We will make the best effort to match you to a primary care provider that suits your needs in a timely manner. We will match those who need urgent care first.
Joining Health Care Connect does not guarantee that a primary care provider will be found for you immediately. More than 470,000 people have been cleared from the Health Care Connect waitlist since January 2025, bringing wait times down to their lowest levels in over a decade.
Moving or looking for a new primary care provider
You can continue getting care from your current provider until we find you a new one. You do not need to leave your current provider while you wait.
Languages available
You can register online in either English or French.
You can register by phone in English, French or in another language.
Register
If you have used Health Care Connect before and want to register again, you must register by phone.
Register by phone
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What you need to register
When registering either online or by phone, you must provide these 3 things:
Personal details
For example:
- name
- postal code (associated with your health card)
- phone number
- why you are looking for care
- if you want care in English or French
Health card number
A valid Ontario health card number (found on the front of the card).
If your health card expires at any point after you register, you may experience delays in being connected to a primary care provider.
Learn how to:
Basic health information
For example:
- if you are pregnant
- chronic health conditions
- disabilities
- self-assessed mental health status
How much health information you provide is up to you. However, providing this information will help your Care Connector match you to a primary care provider that best suits your needs.
By participating in Health Care Connect, you agree to its terms and conditions.
After you register
You will get a letter in the mail to the address associated with your health card.
The letter will:
- confirm your registration
- outline what to expect as you wait to be connected to primary care
We may also contact you to verify your registration information before being connected to a provider. You will be able to share additional preferences if you choose to at this time. Your provider preferences may impact the amount of time it takes to connect you to primary care.
When you are matched to a primary care provider
You will get a referral letter with the name of the primary care provider or team that you have been referred to.
The primary care provider you are referred to will contact you to schedule an initial appointment.
After an appointment, you and the provider will decide whether to go ahead with ongoing care. If you choose not to go ahead, you can register again for Health Care Connect by phone.
Update your information
If your information changes after registering, you can update it online on Health Care Connect, including:
- contact details
- changes in health needs
Keep your information up-to-date so we can match you to a primary care provider faster.
You can also update your information by phone toll-free at
Health card updates
Learn how to:
Withdraw
You can withdraw online from Health Care Connect at any time if you no longer need support.
You can also withdraw by phone toll-free at
If you want to register again for Health Care Connect, you must register by phone.
For primary care providers
Find specific Health Care Connect information for primary care providers, including how to join Health Care Connect.