800,000 More Ontarians Find A Family Doctor
July 21, 2009 10:45 AM
McGuinty Government Launches Online Registration For Health Care Connect
Ontario is giving people the ability to register online to find a family doctor.
The online service - being offered through Health Care Connect - is the next step in the McGuinty government's plan to increase access to family health care. The most recent data shows that approximately 800,000 more Ontarians have a family doctor now than in 2003.
The Health Care Connect online registration tool provides:
- Round-the clock access to on-line registration - saving time for busy Ontarians
- Options to register more than one patient - you can register your family and dependants
- Registration that will connect patients to a Care Connector - a nurse who will help patients without a family health care provider to find one
- Security features to protect the privacy of your personal health information
- A link to the Health Care Options website, a medical services directory with a built in mapping system, for patients to find their local health care options
QUICK FACTS
- 51 percent of Ontarians who have registered with Health Care Connect have been connected to a family health care provider, 81 percent with greater health care needs have been connected.
- The Primary Care Access Survey 2008 shows 300,000 patients have been attached since 2006, building on the 500,000 attached between 2003-2006.
- Health Care Connect will continue to register patients via the toll-free number: 1-800-445-1822.
LEARN MORE
CONTACTS
- Andrew Morrison
Communications Branch
416-314-6197
media@moh.gov.on.ca - Ivan Langrish
Minister's Office
416-326-3986
- For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
1-866-532-3161
(Toll-free in Ontario only) - Media Line
Toll-free: 1-888-414-4774
GTA: 416-314-6197
media@moh.gov.on.ca
ontario.ca/health
Connecting Patients with Doctors
"The addition of online registration for Health Care Connect is another step taken by the McGuinty government to increase access to care and help Ontarians find health care options closer to home."
– David Caplan
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"Since 2003 we have made progress getting 800,000 more patients access to a doctor who didn't previously have one. We're committed to ensuring that as many people as possible get access to the medical expertise of a physician. Together with the government, we're going to continue to help more Ontarians find a family doctor."
– Dr. Suzanne Strasberg
President of the Ontario Medical Association
Communities
