Province-by-province guide to patient registries, wait lists, and alternative care options while you wait.
Registry: Health Connect Registry — register online or call 811
How it works: You're matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner when one becomes available in your area. Average wait varies by region.
Alternative: BC has expanded virtual care through apps and clinics. Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) offer same-day or next-day appointments without referral.
Registry: Alberta Find a Provider (renamed from Alberta Find a Doctor in February 2026) — search online, or use the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta's Physician Directory
How it works: Search by location and filter for doctors accepting new patients. You can also call Health Link 811 for help finding a provider.
Alternative: Alberta has many walk-in clinics and virtual care options. Family Care Clinics and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) provide team-based care.
Registry: Contact your local Health Authority or call HealthLine 811
How it works: Ask to be placed on the patient attachment list for your area. Some clinics maintain their own wait lists.
Alternative: Community health centres and collaborative emergency centres in rural areas. Virtual care through eHealth Saskatchewan.
Registry: Family Doctor Finder — register by calling 204-786-7111 or toll-free 1-866-690-8260
How it works: Provides a match within your area. Also available for nurse practitioners.
Alternative: Quick Care Clinics and ACCESS Centres for urgent, non-emergency care. Virtual care through Manitoba's eHealth services.
Registry: Health Care Connect — register online through ontario.ca
How it works: A care coordinator contacts you and works to match you with a family health team, family doctor, or nurse practitioner in your area.
Alternative: Ontario has many walk-in clinics. Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Family Health Teams accept unattached patients. Virtual care is broadly available.
Registry: Guichet d'accès à un médecin de famille (GAMF) — register online at quebec.ca through GAMF or the Québec Health Booklet (Carnet santé Québec), or by phone via your local territory waiting list
How it works: Patients are prioritised by medical need. Wait times can be long but vulnerable populations are prioritised.
Alternative: CLSCs (Centres locaux de services communautaires) provide primary care even without a family doctor. Walk-in clinics (cliniques sans rendez-vous) available throughout the province.
Registry: Need a Family Practice Registry — register online at needafamilypractice.nshealth.ca
How it works: You're added to a centralized list. When a practice opens nearby, you're notified.
Alternative: Virtual Care Nova Scotia (free for residents). Collaborative Family Practice Teams. Walk-in clinics in urban areas.
Registry: Patient Connect NB — register by calling 811
How it works: A provincially-managed wait list. You're matched when a doctor or NP becomes available.
Alternative: After-hours clinics and NB Virtual Care. Community health centres.
Registry: Patient Registry Program — call 811 or register at healthpei.ca
How it works: Centralized registry for unattached patients.
Alternative: Walk-in clinics in Charlottetown and Summerside. Collaborative care clinics.
Registry: Find a Doctor — contact your regional health authority or call 811
How it works: Regional health authorities maintain patient wait lists.
Alternative: Virtual care through the NL Health Services virtual clinic. Walk-in clinics in St. John's and Corner Brook.
Access: Healthcare in the territories is primarily delivered through community health centres staffed by nurses and visiting physicians.
How it works: Contact your local health centre to be assigned a primary care provider. Telehealth is widely used for specialist consultations.
Note: Residents may be referred to specialists in southern cities. Medical travel benefits are available for necessary out-of-territory care.
Keep your own health records. Without a regular doctor, your records may be scattered across walk-in clinics. Keep a personal file with your medications, allergies, test results, and vaccination history.
Use one walk-in clinic consistently if possible. Some walk-in clinics keep records and provide better continuity if you return to the same one.
Get your prescriptions renewed early. Walk-in doctors can renew most prescriptions but may only give 1–3 month supplies. Don't wait until you run out.
Know your virtual care options. Most provinces now offer free or low-cost virtual visits covered by provincial health plans. These are ideal for prescription renewals, mental health check-ins, and non-emergency questions.
Don't use the ER as a substitute. Emergency departments must see everyone but are designed for emergencies. Using the ER for routine care creates long waits for everyone and doesn't provide continuity.