Dear Feeling Frustrated,

I am sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing trying to find a new family doctor for your son. You are in a difficult situation, and your feelings of frustration and worry about not being able to access the services he needs soon are understandable. Unfortunately, we receive this question often.

How can I find a new doctor?

Below are some ways to try to find a new family doctor who is accepting new patients:

• Have a conversation with your son’s retiring doctor about the situation. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario strongly encourages retiring physicians to arrange care for their current patients (I am going to assume you’ve already tried that route).
• Register with Health Care Connect. This program helps connect you with a family doctor accepting new patients in your area. 
• Use The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s Find a Doctor search. It is important to note this registry does not list which doctors are accepting new patients – you will need to contact the doctors listed to inquire whether they are taking on new patients, and it’s a lengthy list.
• If you are in the Ottawa area, a suggestion is to call the Family Medicine Clinic at the Civic Hospital. Although they are currently not accepting new patients at this time, their waitlist for primary care has been reported to be much shorter than the provincial waitlist. (613) 761-4334

Other options to consider

Nurse practitioner (NP): An underutilized option! They are health care providers that provide primary care, treatment and write prescriptions. You can register for one or get on the waitlist here.

Youth Wellness Hubs: For youth aged 12-25 to help address their mental health, substance use, primary care, education, housing, community and social service needs. To check if you are in an area that these hubs cover, visit: Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario.

Community Health Centres (CHC): are an option to investigate for ongoing medical care and mental health services. They have primary care doctors, nurse practitioners, and counsellors on staff: www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/system/services/chc/locations.aspx

Walk-in clinics and online doctors: Although not a preferred choice, a walk-in clinic can be a viable option to see a doctor and have your son’s prescription renewed. A walk-in clinic can also be another way to find a new family doctor. While there, ask if any doctors are taking on new patients at that clinic. You can use https://www.iamsick.ca/en to help you locate walk-in clinics in your area.

Like physical walk-in clinics, Online Doctors are a one-time virtual doctor visit and can write prescriptions. Please note that they are unable to write prescriptions for controlled substances. TELUS Health MyCare or Rocket Doctor.

Pharmacist: A pharmacist may be able to renew your son’s prescription if you are in danger of running out before being able to see a doctor. You can explore this option by having a conversation with the pharmacist where your son’s medication is currently being filled and asking what they are able to do. A pharmacist is unable to renew prescriptions for controlled substances.

What if the new doctor does not feel comfortable prescribing the medication your youth is currently taking?

This is a great question to ask. Although most family doctors can prescribe low-dose anxiety or depression medication, some feel uncomfortable prescribing higher dosages or medications for specific mental health diagnoses and may say this is beyond their knowledge. Value their honesty and suggest they pursue a medication “eConsult” through eConsult Ontario. It is important to note that this consult happens between the family doctor and a psychiatrist - the parent is not involved in this meeting.

In the area of Ottawa and surrounding counties, a doctor can request a medication consult through CHEO. The family doctor completes the referral here and under the section Reason for Referral, they select (or write) Medication Consultation. It takes less than two weeks for the doctor to be linked with a psychiatrist to discuss the concerns about a child’s medications.

If you are still struggling and need more detailed information about finding a family doctor and/or health care provider, you can connect with one of our Family Peer Supporters by calling our Helpline.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9am-7pm. You can reach us at 613 321 3211 or 855 775 7005 (toll-free).

*We serve all of Ontario. Whether you live in Ottawa or elsewhere in Ontario, we are here to help you find the best resources for your individual needs.

We are all parents with lived experience supporting a child or youth with a mental health challenge.

You do not have to go through this alone.

Sincerely,

Pleo Family Peer Supporter