This site is a work in progress. Please take a look around and let us know what you think!

Healthcare

A woman receiving an injection

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.

  • Visit a Service Ontario location to apply for and obtain your OHIP card
  • If you are a refugee claimant, a protected person, or a government-assisted or privately sponsored refugee and are waiting to get your OHIP card, you are eligible for the Government of Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which will allow you to access healthcare. In most cases, you don’t have to apply for IFHP. Learn more at canada.ca/ifhp.

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:

Programs

Arthritis Society Programs for Burlington, Hamilton and Niagara Region

Arthritis Society
1-800-321-1433, 905-632-9390, info@arthritis.ca
2289 Fairview St, Burlington, ON L7R 2E4, Canada

The Arthritis Society offers programs and services that support those with arthritis. These include:

  • Talks
  • Online learning, workshops and resources
  • Navigating through arthritis
  • Community supports and mental health supports
  • Helpline (1-800-321-1433)

 

Asthma Canada Programs and Services

Asthma Canada
1-800-787-4050, 416-787-4050, info@asthma.ca
124 Merton St, Toronto, ON M4S 2Z2, Canada

Asthma Canada offers programs and services for those with Asthma and their caregivers. They perform advocacy, education and research in to this disease.

There is information on the connections between asthma and allergies as well as with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. 

  • Helpline (1-800-787-4050)
  • Educational materials and resources
  • Asthma clinic locator
  • Asthma Canada Membership Alliance
  • Online peer mentoring for children with asthma

Atwell Centre Pregnancy Support Services

Atwell Centre
905-393-8525, 905-902-6082 (Text), info@atwellcentre.ca
40 Wellington St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1M8, Canada

A non-profit agency committed to providing hope, compassionate and informative assistance for anyone facing an unexpected pregnancy.

Services are free and confidential. They include:

  • Medical Grade Pregnancy Tests
  • Pregnancy Options Support
  • Point-of-care Ultrasound
  • STI Testing & Treatment
  • Pregnancy + Beyond Support
  • Post Abortion Support
  • Abortion Support
  • Resources & Referrals
  • Male Mentoring
  • Community Referrals
  • Sexual Health and Relationship Education (S.H.A.R.E) for teens, students & teachers
  • Baby Boutique – Free Maternity and Baby Clothes (NB – 2T)

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Advocacy and Support Groups

Canadian Hard of Hearing Association of Hamilton
289-780-2442, info@chha-hamilton.ca

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.

Cancer Information Service

Canadian Cancer Society for Hamilton, Brant-Norfolk Community
1-886-786-3934, 1-888-939-3333, connect@cancer.ca
711 Concession St, Hamilton, ON L8V 5C2, Canada

A toll-free number and website to connect with an information specialist who can answer questions about cancer and its impacts on life and health.

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario Public Register

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
1-800-268-7096 ext. 603, 416-967-2603, feedback@cpso.on.ca

Maintains a public list of registered Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario.

Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team Services

Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team
1-833-426-7678, info@hamsmart.ca

Provides health services for people with chronic or infectious diseases who are unable to visit the doctor’s office. Services are provided by physicians, registered nurses, midwives, and outreach workers.

Health Card Kiosk

Ontario Ministry of Health
181 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y4, Canada

An on-site kiosk that allows individuals who do not have a permanent address to acquire an Ontario health card. A temporary health card number enables participants to access health care services and program staff assist in attaining a permanent card. Health cards are provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Health Care Connect

Ontario Ministry of Health
1-800-445-1822

Provincial Ontario program that pairs Ontario residents with local doctor or nurse practitioners that are accepting new patients.

Health Connect Ontario

Ontario Ministry of Health
1-866-797-0007, 811

A free, confidential telephone service which provides health advice or general health information from a registered nurse.

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.

Health Connections Information Line

City of Hamilton, Healthy and Safe Communities Department, Public Health Division

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:

  • safety 
  • nutrition
  • parenting
  • mental health
  • breastfeeding
  • growth and development

National Eating Disorder Helpline

National Eating Disorder Information Centre
1-866-633-4220, nedic@uhn.ca

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 via Instant Chat through the website.

NeedaDoc.ca

Hamilton Health Sciences

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 contains information for local urgent care centres, hospital emergency departments, family doctors, managing chronic illness, prescriptions, and mental health.

Ontario Health Card Services

ServiceOntario
17 King St E, Dundas, ON L9H 1B7, Canada
163 Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton, ON L8E 1H8, Canada
50 Dundurn St S, Hamilton, ON L8P, Canada
119 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y7, Canada
1400 Upper James St, Hamilton, ON L9B 1K3, Canada
1439 Upper Ottawa St, Hamilton, ON L8W 3J6, Canada
245 Dundas St E, Waterdown, ON L0R 2H6, Canada

Provides services surrounding provincial health insurance. Services include:

  • Health card applications and renewals
  • Changing address or name on a health card
  • Switching to a photo health card
  • Health card replacements

Primary Care Services

Compass Community Health Centre
1-800-361-3338, 905-523-6611 ext. 2000
438 Hughson St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 4N5, Canada

Offers primary health care services to people living in Hamilton who face barriers to traditional health programs.

Doctors and nurses assess and treat minor illnesses and injuries.

Staff includes:

  • family physicians and physician assistants
  • nurse practitioners and registered nurses
  • pharmacist consultants
  • respiratory educators

Primary Health Care, De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre

De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre
905-544-4320, info@dahac.ca
678 Main St E, Hamilton, ON L8M 1K2, Canada

Provides primary and holistic 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, pre and post-natal care and more.

Refuge Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health Services

Refuge Hamilton Centre for Newcomer Health
905-526-0000, 905-526-0001, info@newcomerhealth.ca
183 Hughson St S, Lower Level, Hamilton, ON L8N 2B6, Canada

Provides primary healthcare services to new immigrants, including refugees, and to those who face barriers in accessing culturally-appropriate healthcare services.

Services include:

  • Routine physical exams
  • Immunizations for both adults and children
  • Assessment and treatment of acute episodic illnesses
  • Chronic disease management
  • Family contraceptive planning
  • Home visits
  • Mental health counseling and support
  • Nutrition assessment and counseling
  • Information, advocacy, service referral and support
  • Translation and interpretation services
  • Health services navigation
  • Triage service for urgent issues
  • Pediatric care

Sexual Health Clinics

City of Hamilton, Healthy and Safe Communities Department, Public Health Division

Offers confidential services to support sexual health.

Services include:

  • low-cost brith control
  • free emergency contraceptive pill
  • urine pregnancy testing
  • testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
  • access to harm reduction supplies
  • free condoms
  • Naloxone prevention kits

Visit the website to find the closest location.

Shelter Health Network Addictions Clinics

Shelter Health Network
905-526-7137 (Shelter Health Network), admin@shelterhealthnetwork.ca
200 Main St E, Lower Level, Hamilton, ON L8N 1H3, Canada
15 Charlton Ave W, Hamilton, ON L8P 2B8, Canada
52 Catharine St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1J1, Canada
595 Main St E, Hamilton, ON L8M 1J4, Canada

Provides general health services and addiction services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.

Shelter Health Network Mental Health Clinics

Shelter Health Network
905-526-7137 (Shelter Health Network), admin@shelterhealthnetwork.ca
131 John St S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2C3, Canada

Provides mental health services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.

Shelter Health Network Primary Health Clinics

Shelter Health Network
905-526-7137 (Shelter Health Network), admin@shelterhealthnetwork.ca
135 Mary St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1K4, Canada
20 Pearl St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2Y8, Canada
325 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H3, Canada
94 York Blvd #3, Hamilton, ON L8R 1R6, Canada

Provides general health services to people in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.

Shelter Health Network Youth Health Clinics

Shelter Health Network
905-526-7137 (Shelter Health Network), admin@shelterhealthnetwork.ca
14 Cannon St W, Hamilton, ON L8R 2B2, Canada
38 James St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4W6, Canada

Provides general health services to youth in Hamilton who do not have stable housing.

Taking Charge! Diabetic Education Program

Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre
181 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y4, Canada

An 8-10 week program of one day per week that includes workshops, health activities, short excursions, and guest speakers to assist people living with diabetes and people who may be at risk of developing diabetes to develop skills with diabetes management and improve overall health.

Tobacco Hotline

City of Hamilton, Healthy and Safe Communities Department, Public Health Division
905-540-5566, tobacco@hamilton.ca

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.

Urgent Care Centre, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
905-573-4813, 905-573-7777
2757 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8G 5E4, Canada

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.