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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 (newcomerhealth.ca), Compass Community Health Centre (compassch.org) or Urban Core Community Health Centre (hucchc.com).
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:
HHS Main Street West Urgent Care 690 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1A4 Noon – 7:00 p.m., 7 days a week
Urgent Care-King Campus (St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton) 2757 King St, Hamilton, ON L8G 5E4 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week
If you require health care services, you can contact one of the following agencies to begin the process:
Children and youth 0-17 years old who meet the income eligibility criteria can access routine and emergency dental care through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program. Call 905-546-2424 ext 5369 or visit www.ontario.ca/page/get-dental-care
Adults 18-64 years old with dental treatment needs may qualify for Emergency Assistance through Ontario Works. Please contact your Ontario Works case manager at 905-546-4800 for more information.
Low income seniors 65 and older can receive free routine dental services, including dentures through the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). Call us at 905-546-2424 ext 3789 or email dentalclinic@hamilton.ca for more information.
COVID-19 Vaccines are available for free for everyone. You can book an appointment or learn more about vaccines at www.hamilton.ca/GetYourVaccine or by calling the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 905-974-9848, option 7 for vaccine clinic information. Translation is available.
If you have a long-term physical disability, you can get help paying for equipment and supplies through the Assistive Devices Program.
The Arthritis Society offers programs and services that support those with arthritis. These include:
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.
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:
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.
Centre de Santé Communautaire offers a parent resource centre and is a satellite site for the Ontario Early Years Program. Provides various activities for families and caregivers with children up to 6 years of age.
Maintains a public list of registered Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario.
Offers a range of reproductive health services, including:
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.
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 contains information for local urgent care centres, hospital emergency departments, family doctors, managing chronic illness, prescriptions, and mental health.
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.
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:
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, 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 and 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.
A virtual 8-10 week program that includes workshops, health activities, 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.
Also offers a virtual support group, an informal space where people with diabetes or clients at-risk can offer each other peer support.
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.