I need a family doctor in Brampton. Where do I start?

Many people in Brampton are looking for a family doctor right now. If you are one of them, you have not done anything wrong. Peel Region has more residents than family doctors, and the gap has grown as doctors retire and the city grows.

The good news is that there are clear steps you can take, and you can do all of them at the same time.

Step 1: Apply directly to clinics that are accepting patients

The fastest route is usually to apply to a clinic that is taking new patients today.

Kennedy Medical Centre is accepting new patients of all ages. You can apply online through our New Patient Application. It takes a few minutes. You will be asked for:

• your name, date of birth and contact details
• your Ontario health card number
• a short summary of your health history and any current medications

Once you submit it, our staff will call you within 48 hours to complete your registration and book your first visit. If you prefer, call us at 905-459-4385.

Our physicians and staff speak English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi.

Step 2: Register with Health Care Connect

Health Care Connect is Ontario's free program for people without a family doctor or nurse practitioner. A nurse in your area looks for a provider who is accepting patients near you.

• Register online at ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or by calling 811.
• You need a valid Ontario health card.
• People with greater health needs are matched first.
• A match is not guaranteed, and it can take time.

If you find a doctor another way, let Health Care Connect know so they can close your request.

Step 3: Search the CPSO doctor directory

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario keeps a public Find a Doctor search. You can look up family doctors near your postal code and see their practice address. It does not always show who is accepting patients, so call the office to ask.

While you wait: where to get care

You do not have to go without care while you look.

• Walk-in clinic. Kennedy Medical Centre has walk-in hours on weekdays, two evenings and Saturdays. See current walk-in hours.
• Health811. Call 811 any time, day or night, to speak with a registered nurse.
• Your pharmacist. Ontario pharmacists can now assess and prescribe for many common minor ailments, such as urinary tract infections, pink eye and cold sores.
• Urgent care. The Urgent Care Centre at Peel Memorial, 20 Lynch Street, is open 24 hours for problems that cannot wait but are not emergencies.
• Emergency. For chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke or a serious injury, call 911 or go to Brampton Civic Hospital.

For more on where to go, read How to access health care in Brampton.

What happens after you apply to Kennedy Medical Centre

1. You submit the online application, or call us.
2. Within 48 hours, a member of our staff calls you to confirm your details and answer questions.
3. We book your first visit with your new family doctor.
4. At that visit, you sign a short enrolment form that registers you with your doctor.

Read What happens at your first visit to know what to bring.