Primary Care and Family Medicine

NSH is working hard to recruit more family doctors and nurse practitioners because regular contact with someone who comes to know us, and our health, over time is important to helping us stay well and support us to manage illnesses.

But sometimes it’s hard to get in to your family practice when you need to. And some people don’t have a doctor or nurse practitioner at all.

How do I get a family doctor or nurse practitioner?

If you don't currently have a primary care provider, the first step to accessing primary care is to join the Need a Family Practice Registry. When most primary care providers are ready to take on new clients, you will be notified if you are on the waiting list.

I'm on the list, what do I do while I wait?

If you are waiting for a new primary care provider or can't get an appointment, you have several options, many of which have been recently introduced and you may not know about.

Whether you need a prescription filled, a simple check up, or any number of non-life threatening issues addressed, the emergency department (and the long wait times they can present) is probably not your best option.

You can use this simple tool to see all of your primary care access options and choose the one that works best for you.

Show me my primary care options