Hundreds Queue for New Family Doctor at Kanata Health Clinic

Hundreds of individuals seeking a family physician lined up for hours on the morning of September 30, 2023, at the Active Care clinic in Kanata, located in Ottawa’s west end. The clinic announced it could register between 400 and 600 new patients, with many receiving assignments to a physician assistant (PA) as part of a growing effort to address the ongoing physician shortage in Ontario.

Among those waiting was Alison Boughey, who stood in line for nearly four hours. She explained that she had been without a primary care provider for about five years after her family doctor relocated to Trenton, Ontario. “It’s like a golden ticket people are walking out with today,” Boughey remarked, reflecting the desperation many feel in their search for a family doctor.

The issue of finding a family physician in Ontario has become increasingly critical, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), more than 2.5 million Ontarians currently lack access to a family physician. While the OMA acknowledges recent investments in primary care as a positive step, it highlights that the health-care needs of the population continue to surpass available resources.

The situation is pressing for many. Rajwual Chirammal, who arrived at the clinic as the registration period was winding down, shared that his family physician is closing his practice. “I think his letter said he can’t take it anymore,” Chirammal noted. He mentioned that he and his wife, who joined the line at 06:00, had to seize the opportunity presented by the clinic’s announcement.

Chirammal and others face uncertainty even after registering, as they may have to wait up to three weeks before receiving confirmation about whether a doctor or physician assistant will be available to provide care.

Challenges in Accessing Health Care

The lines at the Active Care clinic were indicative of a broader struggle within the health-care system. Boughey estimated that around 250 people were ahead of her when she arrived at 08:00. The clinic’s voicemail had indicated that new patients would be accepted from 08:00 to 12:00, but reports indicated that some individuals started lining up as early as 04:30.

Marlene Vieira, another hopeful patient, expressed her frustration at the difficulty of securing a family doctor. Having moved to Ottawa from Halliburton Highlands, she noted, “I thought that coming to a big city, it would be easy to get another doctor. But I have not been able to even get on a wait list anywhere.” Vieira’s experience underscores a significant challenge that many residents face, regardless of whether they live in urban or rural areas.

The secretary at the Active Care clinic, Belinda Manuel, reported that the clinic currently employs approximately eight physicians and three physician assistants. PAs are trained to work alongside physicians to alleviate some of the pressures on health care by conducting physicals, writing referrals, and prescribing certain medications, although they cannot prescribe narcotics.

As the demand for family physicians continues to rise, the situation in Ontario exemplifies a broader national challenge. The health-care system’s ability to meet the needs of its population remains a critical concern, highlighting the importance of sustainable solutions to address this growing crisis.