All Canadian residents have access to health care. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those with a valid work permit or a temporary resident permit in Ontario qualify for public health insurance in Ontario known as OHIP. Your OHIP card covers most health services, such as services from physicians and hospital stays. If you do not have an OHIP card, you may receive services at health centres in the community, such as Refuge Hamilton Newcomer Health Centre, Compass Community Health Centre or Urban Core Community Health Centre.
It can be a challenge for anyone to find a family doctor in Ontario, so be prepared to spend some time on the search.
There are a number of services that help to connect you to a family doctor that is taking new patients:
If you require health care services, you can contact one of the following agencies to begin the process:
Arthritis Society Canada offers programs and services that support those with arthritis. These include:
A free call-back or email service available to all people living in Canada, where a team of Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) provide support and advice to people with asthma and other respiratory allergies, as well as caregivers, friends, and educators. Topics can include:
A non-profit agency committed to providing hope, compassion, and informative assistance for anyone facing an unexpected pregnancy. Services are free and confidential. They include:
Self-help support group for deaf and hard of hearing individuals to share their problems, needs, experiences, and strategies for coping. Also offers educational programs and classes. Advocates for the rights and needs of hard of hearing and deafened persons at the municipal level in an effort to break down social barriers, create awareness and fully integrate hard of hearing and deafened persons into the community.
Canada-wide bilingual information service provides information about cancer, community resources, and other cancer-related topics to patients, families, general public, and health professionals. Information is available through the phone or online through the Community Services Locator.
Offers a variety of classes for new parents and their babies.
Maintains a public list of registered physicians and surgeons in Ontario.
Provides a list of family physicians throughout Hamilton who may be able to accept a new patient.
Offers a range of reproductive health services, including:
Provincial program that pairs Ontario residents with local doctors or nurse practitioners who are accepting new patients.
A telephone line answered by Public Health Nurses to provide information and assistance for expectant parents and families with children up to 6 years of age, on various health topics including:
A free, confidential service which provides health advice and general health information from a registered nurse, as well as assistance finding health care providers, symptom assessment tool, and medical library.
In emergency situations a person should always call 911.
Also offers 24/7 breastfeeding support line. Breastfeeding experts available 24/7 to answer questions, provide breastfeeding plans, and provide referrals to in-person breastfeeding services in Hamilton.
Provides a free, confidential helpline that provides information, support, and community referrals to Canadians affected by eating disorders.
These supports are also available via email and live chat through the website.
An online service of Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, and McMaster University designed to aid individuals and families in navigating the health-related services in the city of Hamilton.
Website includes information on:
Provides services surrounding provincial health insurance. Services include:
A monthly workshop offered by a Health Settlement Counselor from Counselor-Refugee Services to provide an overview of the Canadian Healthcare System and explanations of how newcomers can learn to navigate within it.
Provides primary healthcare to Francophone residents of Hamilton, Niagara, and surrounding areas.
Clients have access to various health care professionals and services including family physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, laboratory services, registered dietitians, occupational therapists, diabetes education and management, including diabetic foot care and more.
Services include:
Offers primary health care services to people living in Hamilton who face barriers to traditional health programs. Providing healthcare to a diverse group of people is possible with a multi-disciplinary team approach, including:
Provides primary and wholistic medical care integrated with traditional Indigenous approaches to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit community members. Staff includes both family doctors and nurse practitioners. Care provided includes illness prevention and screening, assessment, treatment and monitoring, counselling, chronic disease management, breastfeeding support, pre- and post-natal care and more.
Provides primary healthcare services to new immigrants, including refugees, and to those who face barriers in accessing culturally-appropriate healthcare services.
Services include:
Offers confidential services to support sexual health.
Services include:
Provides general health services with a focus on addiction services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.
Provides mental health services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.
Provides general health services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing and do not have a family doctor. Care is available at many locations in the city, with a schedule available online.
Provides general health services to youth in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.
Provides information to callers regarding tobacco control legislation, such as local smoking by-laws and the provincial Smoke-Free Ontario Act, and on smoking cessation programs and services.
Walk-in medical clinic where doctors and nurses assess and treat minor illnesses and injuries. Website provides guidance on when to visit urgent care, when to visit the emergency room, and when to dial 911.